[JohnM]

Very interesting article, but the thread probably belongs down in the Science & Technology forum.

I especially liked the ideas of leasing the batteries and of utilities like PG&E buying up used batteries that are no longer suitable for transportation use, but with plenty of life for non-critical electrical storage. When it comes to discussing the costs of electric/hybrid transportation, batteries remain the the 500lb gorilla that everyone at the table is trying to avoid making eye contact with. With battery costs lowered and/or metered out on a monthly basis, electric transportation might become more economically attractive to the average Joe.