The Future of Electric Batteries

Battery research and production would certainly benefit Michigan's economy but there are serious questions that need answers.

Questions for Nancy Gioia, Ann Marie Sastry, and Eric Sheffler:

1) What is the life of and replacement cost for an
automobile battery pack? I have heard as few as 4
years at a cost of as much as $10,000.

2) What effect does battery life and replacement cost
have on the resale value of the vehicle?

3) Can these battery packs be recycled?

4) Is there an adequate supply of lithium at a
reasonable cost? There have been reports that
Toyota has control of the largest source.

5) Is lithium toxic?

6) Is lithium battery production a clean industry? Are
toxic fumes emitted during production? What are
the waste products? Is there a threat to our
environment, our ground water?

7) What states and/or countries are Michigan's biggest
competitors for lithium ion battery research and
production?

8) Is there a technology under development that will
seriously threaten to replace lithium ion batteries
in the near future?

Thank you.

I really hope that Michigan and Detroit get the
Lions share of these jobs connected to the Electric batteries. It will have a great economic boost on our economy.