How long do batteries last? Are there new developments in batteries?
It depends on type. 6V, golf-cart deep-cycle batteries (long the mainstay of the converted EV) can last 3 to 5 years, in some cases much longer depending on whether you drive less than the average. 12V deep-cycles may last half as long, but then you need half as many to equal the same voltage. The cost of replacing a battery pack can run between $600 and $1500, assuming lead-acid chemistry (the only affordable choice at this time). Factors that vary the price include high-performance voltages (in excess of the standard 120V) and sealed (no maintenance) designs. As for new developments, there are many other battery chemistries and types being tested, but most promising, in the near-term, are nickel cadmium, nickel metal-hydride and lithium-ion. Hydrogen fuel cells and flywheel energy storage devices are also in development, but much further off from availability and affordability. A new lead-acid design using absorbed glass mat (AGM) technology is the favorite among performance oriented
