Yesterday Tesla Motors unveiled its long-anticipated second electric sedan, the Model S. Just a sliver shy of $50k, post-tax credits, the high-ish price tag of the luxury electric car is in part due to the lithium ion battery, and in part to its size—it fits a 50-inch TV, surfboard and mountain bike at the same time. Perfect for my typical Saturday, and it travels 300 miles on a single charge. From the press release:

The Model S, which carries its charger onboard, can be recharged from any 120V, 240V or 480V outlet, with the latter taking only 45 minutes. By recharging their car while they stop for a meal, drivers can go from LA to New York in approximately the same time as a gasoline car.  Moreover, the floor-mounted battery pack is designed to be changed out in less time than it takes to fill a gas tank, allowing for the possibility of battery-pack swap stations.

takepart and read this recent article from Scientific American on lithium ion batteries.