Soon, we’ll probably be seeing Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries being used in most electric cars and bikes. This new battery type is set to dominate the market. Based upon lithium ion technology, LiFePO4 batteries offer many advantages over lithium cobalt dioxide (LiCoO2) batteries which are commonly used in laptops, mp3 players and cell phones.

In electric vehicles, LiFePO4 batteries offer greater range, power and safety. They provide full power until they are completely discharged, and recharge in just 2.5 hours. LiFePO4 chemistry is also environmentally friendly — it’s the least toxic of all the battery types. (more…)

A company called M2E Power has announced plans today to release a charger that will powered by kinetic motion. The released date is expected to be next summer. The charger derives power from the motion of walking, jogging, cycling, or driving. Six hours of motion provides 30 to 60 minutes of charging power. It will be priced between $25 and $40. (more…)

We briefly reviewed battery chargers in a previous post “The Best Rechargeable Batteries of 2008“. Here’s a closer look at the best universal battery chargers, or chargers that can handle AAA, AA, C, D sized cells, and well as 9V cells. (more…)

Today, the best rechargeable batteries are the new hybrid Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) cells. These hybrid batteries have a lot going for them: they come fully charged (like alkalines), and they can hold their charge over may months (unlike regular Ni-MH rechargeables). Because they can hold their charge for so long, they are suitable for low-drain devices like remote controls and flashlights. But they are also ideal for use in high-drain electronic devices like digital cameras. So, basically, these new hybrid Ni-MH cells offer the convenience and shelf-life of alkalines, and the high-drain performance of older Ni-MH batteries. You can find the new hybrid Ni-MHs being sold with names like Hybrio, Eneloop and Rayovac Hybrid.

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Sanyo has developed a rechargeable battery that comes charged — so buyers don’t have to charge it before use. The new battery is a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) cell of the type commonly found in many portable electronics products but with a key difference. Typically, NiMH batteries lose charge over time if they are not used. Sanyo said its new battery loses about 15 percent of its charge after a year of no use compared to competing batteries that lose almost all their charge over the same period.

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Not long ago Rayovac released a 15 minute battery charger, raising the bar for NiMH battery chargers. Up until that time rechargers took from 7-24 hours to fully charge AA and AAA NiMH batteries. The only catch was that you had to buy special Rayovac 15 minute batteries to put in the 15 minute charger.

Now Energizer has released a 15 minute charger that works with any brand of NiMH batteries. Previously they had released a 30 minute charger, but perhaps due to comparison with Rayovac they upped their game.

The Energizer charger just came out, and we are aware of only a couple retailers carrying it. The price of the charger is $35 and includes 4 AA batteries.

Available from: Bestbuy and eEnid

Rayovac has released a new line of NiMH batteries called "I-C3" which charge in 15 minutes. Based own experience, these batteries do live up to their claim and recharge in 15 minutes and are very long lasting.

One of the best charger/battery series available. The batteries are
rated at 2400mAh - one of the most powerful out there. Quick charges
in about an hour, then switches to trickle charge. Comes with a 12V adaptor.

Purchase from: Amazon ($29.88)