Spinoff story

Electric Car

A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.

About this technology

Overview

Postal service van is test vehicle for a NASA developed nickel-zinc battery, derived from satellite technology that may spark electric automobile's comeback. Researchers feel that nickel-zinc battery could drive a car 120 miles at an average speed of 40 miles per hour on a single charge, exceeding the predicting requirement for a viable urban vehicle. Battery promises longer life and twice the range of existing commercially available batteries.