I came across this while surfing.
http://www.powergenixsystems.com/hev.php
Quote:
Performance and cost aspects of nickel-zinc technology that compare very favorably to battery technologies used in HEV's today, or being considered for future use in HEV's include: - Nickel-zinc technology offers more energy density than the nickel metal hydride batteries being used in HEV's today, providing for up to a 40% smaller and lighter battery—very attractive dynamics for HEV applications.
- Nickel-zinc battery solutions for an HEV are less expensive than nickel metal hydride because you need 35+% less cells, and the materials used in a nickel-zinc battery are less expensive than those used in a nickel metal hydride battery.
- Expensive safety power control systems and manufacturing processes required by lithium-ion batteries are not necessary for a nickel-zinc battery, making a nickel-zinc about 1/2 the cost per watt hour of a lithium-ion battery.
- The materials used in a nickel-zinc battery are not combustible, so they can not explode, making them inherently much safer than a lithium-ion battery.
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They claim to have solved the the memory effects issue. If that is true then NiZn could make ZnAir feasible as the anode technology is almost identical for all practicle purposes. Even better, the NiZn characterics could be used for a lighter, more powerful replacement for NiMH. The energy density is higher and the price should be lower. It should also be more eco-friendly. In fact, a NiZn battery pack should be compatible enough to be used as an aftermarket replacement for NiMH.