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New battery could steer China into lead in electric-car mark

The Vancouver Sun -- However, it's the battery in the E6 that is causing the buzz in the decidedly dejected auto industry. Instead of being made with lithium ion -- which is expensive, increasingly hard to come by, environmentally unfriendly, and potentially dangerous in a crash -- BYD has devised a battery that uses ferrous ion, which is cheap, plentiful and green. If it turns out to be as functional as the Chinese company claims, it could be the breakthrough to bring electric cars into the mainstream.
Warren Buffett thinks it is. The American financier invested $230 million in BYD last year.
BYD -- the Pinyin initials for its Chinese name, but now the company says they also stand for its motto, Build Your Dreams -- boasts the best-selling gas-guzzling sedan in the China market and is making inroads with the

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Submitted Jul 04, 2009 By: Maurus32

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Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:8,803 Points:1,548,265 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:51:38 AM Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse 1. The link to the article does not work. 2. The "ferrous ion" is nothing new. I refer the reader to the Edison Cell battery of over 100 years ago! There are other types of Ferrous cell reactions but thye main problem of all batteries is weight.
rvn4me Champion Author Texas Posts:1,872 Points:551,810 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:50:14 AM Ignore rvn4me Report Abuse They have to be worried about the cost because they sure arent worried about the environment.
dollarwatcher Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:2,987 Points:559,750 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:49:24 AM Ignore dollarwatcher Report Abuse Technology is advancing.
gaswatcherCA All-Star Author Oakland Posts:693 Points:517,160 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:48:06 AM Ignore gaswatcherCA Report Abuse You can make fun of China all you want, you forget they OWN the United States Of America, more and more every day, thanks to the Messiah, Obama. Do you even understand what that means. Plus they are buying companies here right and left, you might want a job at one of those companies, make fun of them at that time. Jokes on you.
kruk Champion Author London Posts:2,843 Points:332,715 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:47:45 AM Ignore kruk Report Abuse seems like investment overseas is more secure than in US - after GM and Chrysler fiasko - would anybody invest in american company - NO
must87searcher Champion Author Maryland Posts:4,142 Points:807,750 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:47:08 AM Ignore must87searcher Report Abuse New ideas are just poping up. It is no surprice, with the conditions of the market today. Changes are nessary!!
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:8,319 Points:1,660,335 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:45:21 AM Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse The world needs a fast charging battery the size of a typical gas tank and with the same amount of energy, but we haven't seen it yet.
Phzuyx Sophomore Author Wichita Posts:149 Points:77,150 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:45:09 AM Ignore Phzuyx Report Abuse one word, hydrogen
CallJeffCa Champion Author Oakland Posts:2,102 Points:513,345 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:43:54 AM Ignore CallJeffCa Report Abuse Hmmm...is the technological lead moving to China?
JadeKY Champion Author Louisville Posts:3,771 Points:750,680 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:43:52 AM Ignore JadeKY Report Abuse Put some money into earth-magnet generators and we will not have a big recycling problem in the future.
DeepInOhio Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,930 Points:626,530 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:43:02 AM Ignore DeepInOhio Report Abuse The world had best starting to speak Chinese.
DrivingFool2 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:3,466 Points:644,765 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:42:55 AM Ignore DrivingFool2 Report Abuse What! China is going GREEN????
spunky4443 Champion Author Washington Posts:3,999 Points:1,048,195 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:42:24 AM Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse Well if China had their Wife's pushing their cars, that would work better than a new battery.
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:7,496 Points:842,550 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:40:39 AM Ignore reb4 Report Abuse Good luck china. I am sure they are doing it to be green...
StuCoFromage37 All-Star Author Illinois Posts:689 Points:109,055 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:40:37 AM Ignore StuCoFromage37 Report Abuse I still think that electric cars are going to completely replace gas cars someday.
VetteBlue Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,471 Points:1,118,560 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:39:31 AM Ignore VetteBlue Report Abuse All talk so far. Produce something then talk.
Lonewolftx Champion Author Houston Posts:7,574 Points:1,504,490 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:38:47 AM Ignore Lonewolftx Report Abuse Would be a great inovation . . .
tazdriver Champion Author Huntsville Posts:4,892 Points:1,179,000 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:38:42 AM Ignore tazdriver Report Abuse In China copyright means copy it right, they have to seal technology to lead in anything.
greatscot08 All-Star Author Columbus Posts:944 Points:187,460 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:38:06 AM Ignore greatscot08 Report Abuse All my investing in China has been in Chinese food.......guess that's why Warren B. is where he is and why I'm not........US technology needs to follow this closely, if this really takes off as the automobile propulsion system of the future we could find ourselves trading our dependency on foreign oil for a new dependency on foreign battery systems.....
TXGasPriceSpy Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,666 Points:500,520 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:35:56 AM Ignore TXGasPriceSpy Report Abuse I'm thinking about going into the battery business, everything from triple A on up. Wish me luck.
goldilox88 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,238 Points:621,555 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:35:41 AM Ignore goldilox88 Report Abuse leave it to China... but I do not trust their shortcuts and innovations. Spells recall.
cathevan Champion Author Manitoba Posts:2,132 Points:523,105 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:35:31 AM Ignore cathevan Report Abuse interesting
SgtWalleye Veteran Author Iowa Posts:338 Points:152,695 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:34:51 AM Ignore SgtWalleye Report Abuse I'll have some egg drop soup with that
mk9999 Champion Author Rochester Posts:2,957 Points:692,220 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:34:47 AM Ignore mk9999 Report Abuse We need affordable electric cars. Maybe this will be it.
TeachR06 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:3,535 Points:1,012,760 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:34:33 AM Ignore TeachR06 Report Abuse sounds like some country is moving forward with something worthwhile.
marinasgrandpa All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:791 Points:354,350 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:32:38 AM Ignore marinasgrandpa Report Abuse the technology had to come from some-where-and when was the last time Warren Buffett lost money?
j4_ Rookie Author Philadelphia Posts:7 Points:236,090 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:30:27 AM Ignore j4_ Report Abuse A little googling will take you to some interesting articles on batteries that use iron. Nickel Iron Batteries (Thomas Edison) are not commercially manufactured in the USA after Exide bought the Edison Storage Battery Company. Check Wikipedia for Nickel-iron battery.
captngasTN Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,735 Points:425,240 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:29:23 AM Ignore captngasTN Report Abuse Maybe they'll take the lead out of their paint and use in batteries.
saveongasNC Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,287 Points:721,750 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:28:52 AM Ignore saveongasNC Report Abuse Go for it!
thwadi Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,138 Points:605,655 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:28:32 AM Ignore thwadi Report Abuse All improvements are welcome.
throttle Champion Author Maryland Posts:7,852 Points:1,651,180 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:27:32 AM Ignore throttle Report Abuse IF it turns out to be as functional as the Chinese claim......
Theczecho Champion Author Long Island Posts:1,547 Points:445,030 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:26:43 AM Ignore Theczecho Report Abuse This I have to see.
AvantiMick Champion Author Indiana Posts:8,011 Points:1,600,395 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:26:21 AM Ignore AvantiMick Report Abuse Good Old Billionaire Buffett....investing his money in China. Bet he shops at Wal Mart!! He could do so much good with his money in the US!!
jd2009 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:1,783 Points:556,650 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:25:12 AM Ignore jd2009 Report Abuse Great idea ... seems like China is taking over everything
tankneverfull Champion Author Charlotte Posts:4,222 Points:826,470 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:24:35 AM Ignore tankneverfull Report Abuse If Buffett thinks it's good then maybe somebody in our auto industry ought to be taking a look.
jmg144 Champion Author Maryland Posts:6,737 Points:2,004,945 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:23:40 AM Ignore jmg144 Report Abuse If Buffet invests in this company, it probably will be a success.
Zuman Champion Author New York Posts:1,489 Points:961,040 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:21:42 AM Ignore Zuman Report Abuse I'm sure china will produce a quality product like there toys with lead and baby formula and so on......
BHSJackson Veteran Author Indiana Posts:385 Points:131,680 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:21:22 AM Ignore BHSJackson Report Abuse Great, more American money going to the chinese.
armstrmb Champion Author Houston Posts:5,321 Points:1,110,480 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:19:17 AM Ignore armstrmb Report Abuse Has any significant auto manufacturer done anything with this technology?
Lengas Champion Author Gary Posts:8,365 Points:1,737,125 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:18:43 AM Ignore Lengas Report Abuse Can't read the full article. If it is a good idea go for it.
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,968 Points:594,510 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:18:40 AM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse DON'T BUY CHINA MADE PRODUCTS.
unloquacious Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,560 Points:697,640 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:17:34 AM Ignore unloquacious Report Abuse ah-so...
gasman50 Champion Author Portland Posts:3,909 Points:1,433,745 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:17:03 AM Ignore gasman50 Report Abuse Interesting....Time will tell
ironbox_sara Champion Author Albany Posts:4,696 Points:1,292,650 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:15:33 AM Ignore ironbox_sara Report Abuse Let me know when it hits the market.
BumbleBeeOK Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,310 Points:398,460 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:15:10 AM Ignore BumbleBeeOK Report Abuse Cornpopper??? Thats cute.
Pozole Champion Author Portland Posts:3,179 Points:617,680 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:10:41 AM Ignore Pozole Report Abuse ...ah, iron top battery, cornpopper...
abuck Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:3,264 Points:586,170 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:07:42 AM Ignore abuck Report Abuse We really need to make sure we have things in place to get ahold of the lithium. If we can ensure that we get the lithium, then we have a better handle on things.
CharlieC08 Champion Author Colorado Posts:3,807 Points:647,245 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:07:13 AM Ignore CharlieC08 Report Abuse might be on to something.
Marson Champion Author Scranton Posts:4,364 Points:1,141,795 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:06:30 AM Ignore Marson Report Abuse Battery Technology is the key to the future of electtric cars.
YKK Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:47 Points:1,314,255 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:06:19 AM Ignore YKK Report Abuse Give me the "copper-top."
Yonkers111 Champion Author Scranton Posts:6,328 Points:536,820 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:05:01 AM Ignore Yonkers111 Report Abuse We should reverse engineer the battery and build it here.
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,800 Points:437,070 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 4, 2009 8:04:26 AM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse Wegman from Twin Cities... The article can be read by typing in the first couple of words from the title into the newspapers search box. Worth the read. I believe your thinking about the Chinese is outdated. Today's young Chinese is very well educated, very focused, and very innovative. In fact, they work harder than we do routinely. Warren Buffett with his $230M investment doesn't make too many mistakes! This battery could be the breakthrough the EV has been needing. More power to them! [Edited by: LetemEatCake at 7/4/2009 9:05:11 AM EST]