Batteries: Higher energy density than gasoline?

• Published in: Energy policy Vol. 37; no. 7; pp. 2639 - 2641
• Main Authors: Fischer, Michael, Werber, Mathew, Schwartz, Peter V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2009; Elsevier; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Series: Energy Policy
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Automobile; Batteries; Battery; Comparative analysis; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical machines; Electrical power engineering; Electricity; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy accumulation; Energy Density; Energy Density Battery Automobile; Energy efficiency; Exact sciences and technology; Gasoline; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Miscellaneous; Petrol; Road transportation and traffic; Studies; Vehicles; Energy Density; Automobile; Battery; Motor car; Road vehicle; Conversion rate; Transportation; Energy density; Secondary cell; Combustion; Mass; Liquid fuel; Energetic efficiency; Gasoline; Energy conversion; Electric motor; Energy storage
• ISSN: 0301-4215; 1873-6777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2009.02.030

The energy density of batteries is two orders of magnitude below that of liquid fuels. However, this information alone cannot be used to compare batteries to liquid fuels for automobile energy storage media. Because electric motors have a higher energy conversion efficiency and lower mass than combustion engines, they can provide a higher deliverable mechanical energy density than internal combustion for most transportation applications.