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Carolina Curious: What Happens To Spent Electric Vehicle Batteries?

Daimler AG is expanding the production capacity of batteries based on lithium-ion technology for hybrid and electric vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz and smart brands. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

Our "Carolina Curious" series continues with a look at what may be the future of roadway travel: vehicles that run on electricity. 

WFDD listener David Kaplan says, "I'm concerned about batteries that are used in hybrid and all-electric cars. Since they can't be recycled, where do they end up? Are they in landfills?"

Reporter David Ford takes us to where the rubber meets the road.

The sleek, aerodynamic, electric vehicles rolling off the production lines today look almost science fiction like. The only thing missing are wings.

Around 1832, Robert Anderson develops the first crude electric vehicle, but it isn't until the 1870s or later that electric cars become practical. <

Before his arrival in the Triad, David had already established himself as a fixture in the Austin, Texas arts scene as a radio host for Classical 89.5 KMFA. During his tenure there, he produced and hosted hundreds of programs including Mind Your Music, The Basics and T.G.I.F. Thank Goodness, It's Familiar, which each won international awards in the Fine Arts Radio Competition. As a radio journalist with 88.5 WFDD, his features have been recognized by the Associated Press, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas. David has written and produced national stories for NPR, KUSC and CPRN in Los Angeles and conducted interviews for Minnesota Public Radio's Weekend America.

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