Question about electric cars and lead-acid storage batteries - need help (10pts)?

Question

I have read some about this, but I would like some experience from others, please?!

The question is...

Why are electric cars powered by lead-acid storage batteries alone considered only a short-term solution to the problem of air pollution emissions from automobiles?

Especially from a chemistry perspective, what are some thoughts on this question...thanks!

Answer 1

They don't recycle well, lead is toxic, it's just transferring energy from your home to your vehicle, pollution is still being produced by power companies and eventually the batteries will end up in land-fills. They have limited power, they're heavy, expensive, and easily stolen.

Answer 2

Because lead-acid batteries have a short life span and need special handling - lead itself is toxic in low doses.  Also, because the majority of the electricity is produced by coal burning plants, your only trading one source of pollution for another.

Answer 3

The batteries need to be charged somehow.  Plugging these cars into your home just transfers the pollution to the power generation location.

This is why Nuclear power is so desperately needed.

Answer 4

There is a environmental problem with the disposal of these batteries that is greater then the air pollution one .

Answer 5

Secondary (e.g. rechargeble batteries) don't actually provide the power, they simply store it as chemical energy. In the caase of lead-acid batteries, this is the reduction of lead-oxide to lead-sulfate and the oxidation of lead to lead sulfate, which 'creates' the power. This can then be reversed so that the power can be provided again, but this requires some source to recharge it, which currently usually means coal based electricity. Lead-acid batteries do have some disposal risks, but don't present long term problems if they are properly recylced since the lead plates in them still have value even after the battery has been worn out.

Answer 6

they are not

the trouble the car companies are having is developing a lighter battery that is easy and cheap to manufacturer.

plus uses materials that can be recycled

there is as of yet no other type battery that meets these criteria.