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New battery could steer China into lead in electric-car mark

The Vancouver Sun -- However, it's the battery in the E6 that is causing the buzz in the decidedly dejected auto industry. Instead of being made with lithium ion -- which is expensive, increasingly hard to come by, environmentally unfriendly, and potentially dangerous in a crash -- BYD has devised a battery that uses ferrous ion, which is cheap, plentiful and green. If it turns out to be as functional as the Chinese company claims, it could be the breakthrough to bring electric cars into the mainstream.
Warren Buffett thinks it is. The American financier invested $230 million in BYD last year.
BYD -- the Pinyin initials for its Chinese name, but now the company says they also stand for its motto, Build Your Dreams -- boasts the best-selling gas-guzzling sedan in the China market and is making inroads with the

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Submitted Jul 04, 2009 By: Maurus32

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indyjim Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,320 Points:1,067,115 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:30:14 AM Ignore indyjim Report Abuse Whatever works.
HybridPete Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,155 Points:611,145 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:30:04 AM Ignore HybridPete Report Abuse Could be a good move in a green direction and an upgrade for already green vehicles.
whitemiata Champion Author Albany Posts:7,314 Points:1,531,060 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:30:02 AM Ignore whitemiata Report Abuse very interesting....
Buck_on_Bass Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,462 Points:353,195 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:29:01 AM Ignore Buck_on_Bass Report Abuse It would be interesting to see where the technology is 21 months after this article was written.
Hugo40 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,359 Points:376,345 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:28:16 AM Ignore Hugo40 Report Abuse China is a very large market and they can afford to tinker with things because they have a lot of our money through the import-export gap.
maske_2222 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:1,675 Points:359,375 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:24:36 AM Ignore maske_2222 Report Abuse interesting...
sjl08203 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,949 Points:749,310 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:24:08 AM Ignore sjl08203 Report Abuse Can't we keep any tecnology here?
Lizzylou Champion Author Stockton Posts:3,179 Points:1,230,205 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:23:15 AM Ignore Lizzylou Report Abuse If Warren Buffett is putting his money into it must be a good thing.
Jumpmaster82 Sophomore Author South Carolina Posts:133 Points:153,915 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:20:45 AM Ignore Jumpmaster82 Report Abuse thanks to our congress, China is gonna kick our butts in everything! as soon as we attempt to produce batteries the enviro-nuts will sue to shut them down
Jetta_Pilot Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,973 Points:568,590 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:19:55 AM Ignore Jetta_Pilot Report Abuse The rest of the world has been using/driving smaller more fuel efficient vehicles for decades. You are your own problem by only buying the gas guzzling crap that GM, Ford and Chrysler was selling you and refusing to downsize.
CSharpGuy Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:3,105 Points:638,710 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:19:53 AM Ignore CSharpGuy Report Abuse Where is American ingenuity?
Cruiser340 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:5,657 Points:1,529,110 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:19:39 AM Ignore Cruiser340 Report Abuse Why is China the first to come up with this? Where are the north american folks?
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,132 Points:343,430 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:17:30 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse PizzaMon: you're right on target. Develop the best and work from there.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,132 Points:343,430 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:17:01 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse when we get to where Americans are willing to re-invest in their future, we'll be competitive again. Right now we're going down a path of complacency and hedoism. And the way of the road? Down, down, down and down.
PizzaMon Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,181 Points:711,920 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:16:14 AM Ignore PizzaMon Report Abuse Let's develop whichever is the better technology.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,132 Points:343,430 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:15:57 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse AC-302: you're right. China is not going to sit idle. They are doing what the US fails to do: bring up scientists who think outside the box. Too bad that most college kids in the US want the easy way out and therefore pick subjects that are simple, easy and where they get A's without much work.
Skip928 Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,657 Points:498,765 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:15:52 AM Ignore Skip928 Report Abuse I'll judge it for myself, don't care what Buffet or Warren or the Pope say about it.
murdershewrote Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,251 Points:1,348,685 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:15:42 AM Ignore murdershewrote Report Abuse happy 4th all
snell snail Champion Author Atlanta Posts:1,770 Points:1,452,480 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:14:33 AM Ignore snell snail Report Abuse ...if it's good for Buffet...it's good for me....
Tonester1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,125 Points:1,085,570 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:14:32 AM Ignore Tonester1 Report Abuse Good.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,132 Points:343,430 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:13:54 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse If Warren thinks it's a good deal, well, he's got the money to invest. I'll sit back and wait for a little longer..
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:6,132 Points:343,430 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:13:20 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse let's wait and see if it works.
bluenvoy Champion Author Nashville Posts:5,636 Points:870,390 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:11:59 AM Ignore bluenvoy Report Abuse It's still a ways off for mass production. Long term testing is needed for to predict life cycle in hot, cold, hilly and flat areas.
freedom2831 Rookie Author Seattle Posts:4 Points:172,505 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:11:31 AM Ignore freedom2831 Report Abuse Just what we need...another product from China!
RedRam2005 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:2,457 Points:440,795 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:08:51 AM Ignore RedRam2005 Report Abuse Another American trying to lead America into the third world.
FordGuy48 Champion Author Albuquerque Posts:1,034 Points:259,470 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:07:54 AM Ignore FordGuy48 Report Abuse BYD, sounds like underwear...........
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:2,163 Points:371,530 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:07:39 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse I think you need some extensive tested to see how it will last within the elements of high heat and cold
banddaddy Rookie Author Raleigh Posts:94 Points:399,955 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:07:39 AM Ignore banddaddy Report Abuse I'll believe it when I see it. The battery has always been, and will likely be, the bane of all electric vehicles.
NJColt Champion Author New Jersey Posts:6,390 Points:1,385,630 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:06:44 AM Ignore NJColt Report Abuse Like to see the prices
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,799 Points:1,366,735 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:05:42 AM Ignore bbreff Report Abuse Let's see how it works after 5 years.
EXTREMESNOW Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,056 Points:668,735 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:05:20 AM Ignore EXTREMESNOW Report Abuse Are you telling me there is an American with $230 million to invest, where is Obama, he might want to redistribute it to everyone including illegal aliens.. No wonder he inveted in a foreign company.
purplebears Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:1,169 Points:170,225 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:05:10 AM Ignore purplebears Report Abuse I agree AC-302. China's big cities need to create non-polluting vehicles as amany have smog worse than L.A. Another reason they will succeed is that the people work for the betterment of the entire population, not just special lobby groups or those looking to file lawsuits.
915Chief Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,290 Points:448,120 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:02:46 AM Ignore 915Chief Report Abuse I'll believe it when I see it...
yukonjack Champion Author Georgia Posts:3,302 Points:936,155 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:02:37 AM Ignore yukonjack Report Abuse Let's see. You need more electricity to charge these things up. That means burning more coal, which means yet more pollution. Who wins here?
cssco Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,130 Points:535,400 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 9:01:24 AM Ignore cssco Report Abuse Bad link!
AC-302 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:12,279 Points:1,671,415 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:57:43 AM Ignore AC-302 Report Abuse The ferrous ion battery instead of the litium ion battery is all well and good. Great! But does it have the power density necessary to take a car 100+ miles on a charge? That's the key. And no, it's unwise to underestimate China. Their government has undertaken a program to train more scientists and engineers. Instead of being producers of other's designs, they want to start innovating and inventing for themselves. They're neither stupid, nor backwards. They'll succeed at it, too. And they're not hampered by environmental or social "do gooders" either. Eventually they'll eat our lunch!
Number43 Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,030 Points:395,435 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:57:11 AM Ignore Number43 Report Abuse Maybe then they will stop polluting.
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:3,325 Points:1,367,500 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:57:06 AM Ignore Don20 Report Abuse I don't have the money to invest, probably would not anyway. Don't believe anything China does until I see it work.
akeatts Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,343 Points:271,000 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:56:37 AM Ignore akeatts Report Abuse It is a shame that we don't have similar forward thinking industry in the USA. I hope it proves successful.
Grismer Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,344 Points:499,565 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:56:33 AM Ignore Grismer Report Abuse China knows that the EV (electric vehicle) is critical to reducing oil dependence. While America spends mult-billons on saving obsolete automakers, China is seeking and spending billions to rapidly create innovative companies that have a chance at future survival. We need to get with this forward looking mind-set.
RoadhogMA All-Star Author Boston Posts:758 Points:215,190 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:55:28 AM Ignore RoadhogMA Report Abuse Lets wait and see.
erfstruck Sophomore Author Grand Rapids Posts:132 Points:685,265 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:54:23 AM Ignore erfstruck Report Abuse every thing is environmentally friendly in other county they don't care about people
Mooseman1 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:4,018 Points:659,010 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:53:48 AM Ignore Mooseman1 Report Abuse There could be spin-off applications from this technology.
baitmn Champion Author New Orleans Posts:2,548 Points:846,750 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:53:37 AM Ignore baitmn Report Abuse Mr Buff is behind this, he want profit on his investment returns
zornave Champion Author Louisville Posts:13,198 Points:2,097,125 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:53:31 AM Ignore zornave Report Abuse Oh, good. Something else to import from China.
macbeth2012 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,339 Points:230,875 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:52:59 AM Ignore macbeth2012 Report Abuse We, the world, needs a breakthrough
Tatalah Champion Author Riverside Posts:4,228 Points:1,268,040 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:52:22 AM Ignore Tatalah Report Abuse Electricity=The alternative that will keep us dependant on oil till we buy it all.
Jamer Champion Author Orange County Posts:2,538 Points:422,350 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:52:14 AM Ignore Jamer Report Abuse Lets see, first China poisons our pets by by tainted pet food. Then China poisons our children by using lead based paints on children toys. Now China wants to make car batteries. Would you really trust China at this point?
dondee118 Champion Author Kansas City Posts:2,549 Points:462,815 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:51:47 AM Ignore dondee118 Report Abuse Sad to say, this company from this communist country got it before the auto companies in this free country did. Got private investors involved instead of begging to the government.
SSchmidty Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,873 Points:555,040 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:51:43 AM Ignore SSchmidty Report Abuse Not a big surprise ... a 15-16 year old firm WITHOUT lots of expensive mfging equip BUT 10,000 well educated engineers comes through with a breakthrough ... AND they have the political will to NOT knuckle-under to pig-oil and friends!!!!
Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:7,461 Points:1,303,325 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:51:38 AM Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse 1. The link to the article does not work. 2. The "ferrous ion" is nothing new. I refer the reader to the Edison Cell battery of over 100 years ago! There are other types of Ferrous cell reactions but thye main problem of all batteries is weight.
rvn4me All-Star Author Texas Posts:564 Points:270,225 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:50:14 AM Ignore rvn4me Report Abuse They have to be worried about the cost because they sure arent worried about the environment.