[Leica] A First (very OT)

[jbilin at axionet.com (Jacques Bilinski)]

>Lead-acid storage cells aren't really that filled with awful
>chemicals. A bit of acid and some lead plates with calcium and some
>other goodies mixed in for good measure. There are some new
>technologies are promising better power densities.
>  
>
The main battery of the Prius uses NiMh chemistry. These are considered 
quite environmentally benign, much more so than Pb acid batteries.

>I see that some folks are finding ways to plug in their hybrids (as
>can be done in Europe) so they get over 100 mpg.
>
This only makes sense if you do a lot of short trips. I've heard the 
total energy storage of the Prius' battery is equivalent to only 1/2 
pint of gasoline.

> I'm all for this. I'd
>rather have vehicles use mostly electric power and then focus on
>efficient and low-pollution at the power generation site than lots of
>small power generators that are less efficient and which pollute more.
>
Lots of small generators (one per home for example) can make a lot of 
sense if the waste heat can be used for heating. In that case you are 
basically getting 100% efficiency.