Electrically Powered Ultralight Aircraft
Morgans wrote:
"Dana wrote
The major problem is the weight of the batteries, still far heavier
than gasoline. Also the lithium polymer batteries used are still
quite expensive (over $10,000 for enough for a half hour flight) and
somewhat dangerous (sort them out and they can explode!)
Damn straight! No way am I going to strap a bunch of lithium polymer
batteries to my butt.
Some of the newer Lithium iron cells, maybe, but they also cost a LOT
more.
Still, electric flight, like many have said, still have a way to go.
And as if we need more proof of this.
TOKYO: Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. will delay by one or two years the rollout
of new high-mileage hybrids with lithium-ion batteries because of safety
concerns, reported a newspaper.
Toyota's decision was prompted by worries that the batteries could overheat,
catch fire or even explode, the Wall Street Journal on Thursday reported in
its online edition, quoting unnamed Toyota executives.
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