Latest battery technology used in racing EV
Batteries are the limiting factor for range on an electric vehicle. This causes what people refer to as range anxiety for many folks considering electric vehicles.
The main battery types are the golf cart 6 or 8 volts
Car batteries that are 12 volts “old-fashioned” lead acid or newer AGM type car batteries
There are also gel type car batteries like the lead acid ones with gel for the liquid.
The above are the “affordable” options that most hobby builders use. These batteries are able to take a vehicle up to about 40-70 miles on a single in most cases that I have reviewed.
There are a few small pickups that have been converted that have gone 120 miles on a charge using 40 of the golf cart type lead acid batteries. Check out the Red Beastie Toyota pickup conversion.
There are also high-capacity fast rechargeable batteries like what are used for RC cars or call phones. These are the type of batteries that the new car manufacturers are using to achieve their 70- 300 mile ranges.
These batteries are very expensive costing between $10,000 and $40,000. These batteries are supposed to last up to ten years. More widespread use a will determine if this is true or not for the average user.
Image credit http://photos.plasmaboyracing.com/