What are the historical prices of nickel metal hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries in $ per kWh from 1975 to the present?
Finding comprehensive historical pricing data for Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries from 1975 to the present is challenging due to limited and fragmented sources. However, some key points can be noted:
1. **Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries**: NiCd batteries were widely used from the mid-20th century until the early 2000s. In the 1980s, their cost was relatively high, around $1,200 per kWh. Prices declined over time with advancements in technology and manufacturing efficiencies.
2. **Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries**: NiMH batteries started gaining popularity in the late 1980s and 1990s, particularly in consumer electronics and early electric vehicles. By the late 1990s, the cost of NiMH batteries was about $500 per kWh, which continued to decrease, reaching around $250 per kWh by the early 2000s.
The decline in costs for both battery types was driven by improvements in materials, production techniques, and economies of scale. However, NiMH and NiCd batteries have largely been replaced by lithium-ion batteries in most applications due to better performance and lower costs