A new kind of battery made primarily from carbon and plastic could extend the range of electric cars, increase the mileage of hybrid cars, and make plug-in hybrids more prevalent. Technology Research Laboratories (TRL) announced the new battery technology, claiming that it has been tested beyond 100,000 cycles and handles full discharge without damage. TRL also claims less than 1,000 pounds of the new batteries will power an electric car for 75 to 100 miles. Nickel-metal-hydride battery packs in the current generation of Toyota Priuses weigh well under 200 pounds, so the TRL technology would need refinement to be a practical competitor. TRL is seeking manufacturing partners to produce the new batteries.

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