CARB Battery Panel Report Shows Technology Ready, Realistic Biggest Problem: No Cars Available

May 24, 2000

Nickel-metal hydride battery technology for electric vehicles is ready, has proven its rugged, real-world use in demonstration fleets, can last the lifetime of the vehicle, and cost is coming down. These are key points noted in the summary of a new report from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Battery Technical Advisory Panel. The biggest challenge for Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) is the lack of available cars, supporters say.

"This report confirms that we're well on the road to a zero-emission future," says Roland Hwang, transportation program director of the Union of Concerned Scientists. "At higher volumes, electric vehicles (EVs) can be an economically attractive consumer choice over the car's lifetime," he adds. The report also notes that battery manufacturers will be able to ramp up production to meet the 2003 ZEV requirement.

"The technology is ready, the infrastructure base continues to grow, and test fleets have been successful, but right now demand exceeds supply and automakers have been reluctant to meet that demand," explains Cecile Martin, deputy director of the California Electric Transportation Coalition. Martin notes that there are waiting lists for EVs.

The electric cars currently on California roads directly result from the California Zero-Emission Vehicle Program. "Every exciting advance in vehicle technology - including pure electric vehicles, hybrids or fuel cells - will thrive only if California resists auto industry pressure to weaken the ZEV Program," notes Janet Hathaway, senior attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council. Historically, the automakers haven't incorporated changes, such as air bags and catalytic converters, until required, Hathaway notes.

"We need a zero-emission future to meet health-based air quality standards. Every day we breathe a toxic soup of contaminants, much of it caused by cars," Hathaway says. CARB is expected to release the full Battery Technical Advisory Panel report next week at a workshop in Diamond Bar, Calif., as part of this year's biennial review of the ZEV regulation.