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Lithium ion batteries, the power source for laptop computers, are now being considered as the next power source for hybrid cars.

Filling the niche for a green vehicle that isn't virtuously homely, Tesla Motors Inc. of San Carlos, CA has created a brand-new kind of car company building a $98K electric sports car that can rocket from 0 to 60 in four seconds. The sophisticated energy storage device that sits in the trunk of the Tesla Roadster is merely a bundle of 6,831 laptop battery cells. This pack costs about $20,000 to produce or about one-fifth of the car's price.

A Caterpillar spin-off is wagering it can transform today's lead acid batteries instead.

Firefly Energy's invention produces a current pretty much the same that Gaston Plante's first rechargeable battery did in 1859. The difference is that its power cells contain graphite foam rather than lead. This means the product is 30% smaller and 20% lighter than typical auto batteries.

Firefly Energy's battery can be recharged many more times and has longer up time than today's rechargeable batteries. Although the product costs twice as much as lead acid batteries, it could sell for just 20% to 25% of the price of a lithium or nickel battery, says Firefly CEO Edward Williams.

Source: BusinessWeek, July 30, 2007