> The *major* problem with Li-Ion cells in vehicles is the "venting with
> flame" bit, and one of the reasons we don't see any mass produced
> vehicles with Li-Ion.  You can crush and puncture a Ni-Cd and an NiMH
> with some overheating and limited possibility of venting with flame,
> but if you crush or puncture a Li-Ion you very frequently get a little
> flame thrower.  They can even overheat and possibly vent when too much
> current is being drawn out of or charged into it.

How about crushing a gas tank ? Or a propane bottle ?

> The other issue is common to all electrical vehicles - how does
> emergency personal safely de-power the car (or verify that it is
> depowered after a crash sensor trips) before dealing with it at the
> scene of an accident?  With the batteries often in back you have some
> huge current carrying cables going to the front.

How does emergency personnel safely unload the fuel (gas) from a crashed 
vehicle ? (they don't). I think that this must be seen in perspective.

Peter
-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist