TOMORROW'S BATTERY TODAY

The author traces the historical background and development of batteries and of battery electric vehicles. The design, construction and performance of a sodium-sulphur traction battery having a solid state electrolyte of beta aluminium hydioxide and operating in the temperature range 300-350 degrees C are described. Road tests have shown that the sodium-sulphur battery-powered 18 CWT Bedford Van has a range between 60 and 100 miles depending on road and driving conditions. The reduction in cost which would result from large scale production is expected to make the use of the battery feasible and the author forecasts that such a battery might be in use within the next ten years for small vans used by fleets and for multiple modules in public transport such as the "silent rider". /TRRL/

• Authors:
  • Churchman, A T
• Publication Date: 1975-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 459-471
• Serial:
  • Royal Society of Arts Journal
  • Volume: 123
  • Issue Number: 5228

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design; Development; Electric automobiles; Electric batteries; Electric vehicles; Forecasting; Prototypes; Public transit; Sodium; Sulfur; Temperature; Trucks; Vanpools; Vehicle design; Weight
• ITRD Terms: 1315: Battery; 9011: Design (overall design); 9013: Development; 132: Forecast; 1236: Lorry; 9109: Prototype; 744: Public transport; 7197: Sodium; 7109: Sulphur; 6722: Temperature; 5485: Weight
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Energy; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Motor Carriers; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00148008
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Report/Paper Numbers: Analytic
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 31 1981 12:00AM