BATTERY REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES

As interest grows in the possibility of electric vehicles (EVs) replac ing conventional internal-combustion-engined-powered vehicles in many major cities, attention is being given to the development of improved batteries. Heavy-duty, lead/acid batteries have served the needs of lo w-performance vehicles, such as milk floats and fork-lifts, for many y ears. The demands of high performance in a lightweight vehicle, howeve r, have increased the battery loading substantially. The performance r equirements of a modern, traffic-compatible EV are reviewed and corres ponding requirements on the battery discussed.