Batteries that recharge in less than a minute!

[Penforhire]

Huh, this charging time would be almost like a super-capacitor, which is an expensive but existing technology.

I wonder how hot these packs will get during fast-charging? Ordinary 2500-ish mAH AA's that charge in 15 minutes get hot. If these charge "all over" I expect they'll generate more heat.

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by Penforhire

Huh, this charging time would be almost like a super-capacitor, which is an expensive but existing technology.

I wonder how hot these packs will get during fast-charging? Ordinary 2500-ish mAH AA's that charge in 15 minutes get hot. If these charge "all over" I expect they'll generate more heat.

Super-capacitors could be much cheaper if manufactored in larger quantities.

The bigger problem I see with them is catastrophic discharge if they are damaged. A large tank of gasoline or diesel is much safer to have around. You could put one behind a concrete wall and earthen berm if you were running your house on one. I just don't see a good way to use them for a car.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by Penforhire

I wonder how hot these packs will get during fast-charging? Ordinary 2500-ish mAH AA's that charge in 15 minutes get hot. If these charge "all over" I expect they'll generate more heat.

It is resistance to current flow that generates heat in electrical circuits. Being able to "charge all over" implies less resistance to current flow, and therefor less heat at equivalent current flow rates. However since the whole point of this exercise is to increase current flow (charge rate) you probably do have a valid point.

[K. Molen]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Tesla aren't really available outside the US, perhaps not even outside California?

Hmm? I was in Copenhagen a few weeks ago and walked by a Tesla dealership.

http://www.teslamotors.com/copenhagen

edit: Turns out there's stores all over the place:

http://www.teslamotors.com/buy/stores

[Kumabjorn]

Ahh, the drawback of living in the woods.
I haven't seen any, hence I assumed they weren't available yet. If i recall correctly their production numbers are still fairly low.