Ask HN: Do Tesla and others have plans to use the expiring NiMH battery patents?

Posted by walden42 on Wednesday May 07, 2014 @07:18PM
from the ask-hn dept.

The efficient NiMH battery patents that Chevron has held hostage for almost 20 years are expiring this year[0], but I have yet to read any information about any companies jumping on the technology.

One guy[1] claims that his Toyota EV has run over 100,000 miles on the original set of batteries to this day, which is very impressive. I don't remember where, but I recall reading an article that stated that although Tesla's batteries perform well, they require the use of a very complicated thermal management system. Additionally, they're using Lithium Ion, whose longevity is questionable.

Some information on the NiMH patents: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_encumbrance_of_large_automotive_NiMH_batteries#Current_status_of_the_Ovonics_battery_technology

Does anyone know of what plans there are to use these, and how they can be utilized in modern electronics? Can Tesla somehow incorporate them in their cars?

[0] http://ev.com/nimh-ev-batteries-held-hostage-until-2014/ [1] Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDRBRuvct54 Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Waqep7f59ho

Re:Ask HN: Do Tesla and others have plans to use the expirin... by SuperDuperTango on Wednesday May 07, 2014 @07:42PM (#7713219)

Currently, the energy density of NiMH batteries is anywhere from 1/2-3/4 of LiIon batteries, so I wouldn't bet on them being used as traction packs for EVs anymore. It'll be interesting to see if more research is done on NiMH after the patents expire though.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: Do Tesla and others have plans to use the expirin... by walden42 on Wednesday May 07, 2014 @08:33PM (#7713368)

Hmm. Might be a trade-off between density and longevity then?