These are the kinds of energy wars I like: the ones between the Department of Energy and IBM to create the most efficient, safest, and longest-lasting batteries for electric vehicles first.
The competition started in 2009, when the DOE gave out $2.9 billion in research grants to develop better low-cost, high-range batteries for electric vehicles, but didn't give any of those grants to IBM. To counter them, IBM began their own internal project, the Battery 500 Project, to develop an electric car battery that can travel 500 miles between charges.
The competition has sparked major advancements, ones that could lead to a fantastic new fleet of electric vehicles that could put a major dent into our addiction to carbon-based fuels as early as 2020.
Pretty exciting stuff, right? Why isn't the Obama administration touting this victory: a project that the government began has fueled (pun intended) innovation in the private sector. It's a great marriage between conservative and progressive ideals. I love it!
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