New Shiny Batteries!

Well, not entirely new. I've blogged about Altairnano before, briefly, but it seems they're moving out from vaporware. GCC:

In March, Phoenix unveiled an electric pickup truck demonstration vehicle, geared to the fleet market. The truck, based on a Valence Saphion Li-ion battery system [i.e., not Altairnano's batteries], offers a top speed of 85 mph and a range of 120 miles per charge [presumably, AlNan can do better]....

Altairnano’s technology allows for 10 - 15 minute recharge—with the use of an off-board charger. Phoenix uses an Enova drivetrain in the current pickup prototype, and will still offer the Enova option in the new vehicle, although it is also investigating other drive train options at this time....

The current production plan is for 10 vehicles by the end of 2006 (in process), 500 vehicles in 2007, 5,000 in 2008, 20,000 in 2009, 50,000 in 2010 and 100,000 in 2011. Initial pricing is in the low to mid $40K range.

Good news.