Michigin building 4 New Advanced Battery Plants

[greenmachine]

Good news - there are plans to build four new advanced battery plants in Michigan, but naturally there are some issues concerning the decision. Industry experts say the lithium ion battery plants — spurred by more than $500 million in state tax credits and $27 billion more in available federal funding — will allow now-expensive plug-in hybrid vehicle technology to become affordable by the time the market demands it. The plants would help create economies of scale faster than the market would on its own, at least according to what I've read on the issue. Is anyone else aware of the plans regarding these plants that can comment accordingly?

[baglady]

The skeptics feel that consumers may rebel against the "pricey" technology, in favor of traditional vehicles that use "cheap" gasoline. Of course, that can change in a heartbeat (er, summer)...

[greenmachine]

I believe that government as well as consumers will continue to push for energy independence and environmentally friendly technology and vehicles. Particularly as we come out of this recession and the economy gets anywhere close to normalcy, the demand is going to continue to be there. That is why nearly every auto manufacturer's portfolio has a significant percentage of hybrids.

[ideople09]

why in the world would Tiffen go with rods that werent the industry standard 15/19mm?

[baglady]

What is Tiffen - I know there is a company that makes camera lenses with that name - is it related to hybrid vehicle production as well?