The production of small-sized M-MH batteries, which amounts to some 40% of
market share for portable appliances, is still growing because of an increa
se in the energy density per volume and also a reduction in price. Highly e
fficient electric vehicles (EV) propelled by a large-sized Ni-MH battery ha
ve been commercialized and have twice the driving range of a conventional E
V with a Pb-acid battery. A hybrid vehicle with a high-powered Ni-MH batter
y has been brought onto the market, providing twice the gas mileage and hal
f the CO2 emissions of a gasoline vehicle. A fuel cell electric vehicle wit
h hydrogen tank or methanol reformer, power-assisted by a Ni-MH battery, is
under development. The Ni-MH battery will be a key component for the next
generation of vehicles in addition to advanced information and telecommunic
ation systems. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.