Although ExxonMobil has no interest in developing renewable fuels, the company is developing technology for hybrid vehicles that would reduce the need for its primary product.
Subsidiary ExxonMobil Chemical is presenting a paper this week about a polymer technology for lithium ion battery separators that is expected to reduce the size and cost of batteries for hybrid vehicles.
The prototype microporous film "is expected to dramatically improve LIB power and safety performance," according to ExxonMobil. The separator membrane is more permeable, which increases performance, and would also prevent the batteries from melting down if overheated.
The petroleum peddler believes that the future will feature more fuel economy. "Over the next 25 years, ExxonMobil expects the average fuel economy of new vehicles worldwide to improve by over 25 percent as a result of both the evolution of technology as well as shifts in the kinds of vehicles that people drive. "
Wow, strong words from an oil company.
It is odd that while the company doesn't want to develop biofuels that could be another revenue stream as fossil fuel supplies dwindle, ExxonMobil is developing technology to boost vehicles' reliance on battery power instead of gas.
The analogy that comes to mind is tobacco companies developing programs to help smokers to quit.
