Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say they have created a new Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery that can be recharged so quickly that charging an electric car could be done in just a few minutes -- making it as quick as filling up a gasoline car at a fuel pump.
MIT scientists say their new battery is smaller and lighter than other batteries in use today, and that the new battery can recharge in mere seconds.
A lab prototype of the battery, made with MIT's new technique could be recharged in less than 20 seconds. This compared to six minutes to fast-charge a conventional battery.
The biggest problem the boffins face is providing enough Amperage (power) to give the new super-fast charge-rate to consumers like you and me. That will be fine for specially-constructed electric car charging stations - and maybe they'll have those installed at today's gas stations. But people's homes will need to be rewired to provide the heavy-duty charging for the new electric cars.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/12/2514848.htm