They are making the batteries for busses, forklifts and public transportation and other applications. But, I can't walk into Sears and buy a NiMH 156V, 300Ah battery pack for $300-$700 for instance. Li-ion and other battery tech is really expensive, and Chevron is keeping the NiMH batteries expensive, even though the components and manufacturing process aren't.
I could buy ~500 laptop battery packs and wire them all up though. I'm also wondering if there is a reason I can't get a large lead-acid battery pack as well.
In 2014 the patents expire I believe, so hopefully you will see a bunch of other companies making these batteries and competing against each other which will bring the prices down. It should be about the time that my lead-acid batteries need replacing.
Here is the history:
“In 1994, General Motors acquired a controlling interest in Ovonics’s battery development and manufacturing (because of the EV1), including patents controlling the manufacturing of large nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. In 2001, Texaco purchased GM’s share in GM Ovonics (because GM needed money). A few months later, Chevron acquired Texaco. In 2003, Texaco Ovonics Battery Systems was restructured into Cobasys, a 50/50 joint venture between Chevron and Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) Ovonics. Chevron’s influence over Cobasys extends beyond a strict 50/50 joint venture. Chevron holds a 19.99% interest in ECD Ovonics. Chevron also maintains veto power over any sale or licensing of NiMH technology. In addition, Chevron maintains the right to seize all of Cobasys’ intellectual property rights in the event that ECD Ovonics does not fulfill its contractual obligations.”
The is more in depth, and a little biased account of things (but in a good way
)
Who Killed the Electric Car: GM and Chevron