5. Conclusion

The electric vehicles of the 1990s were characterized by low on-board energy, a range of less than 100 km, battery discharge in less than an hour in continuous driving and rapid battery degradation, resulting in a cost per kilometer two to three times higher than that of a gasoline vehicle of the time. The running costs of the batteries used were too high for the electric vehicle application.

Power bypass hybrids like the Toyota Prius allow the combustion engine to be used only in its most efficient zones, with the battery used only in micro-cycles. This means competitive running costs, with a battery life similar to that of the vehicle.

The same challenge applies to electric vehicles. With lithium batteries, we can now offer sufficient range for some applications, and provide modern, attractive, comfortable vehicles with a much-appreciated...