Device could give boost to electric cars

PORTLAND – A device that could make electric-vehicle batteries more powerful and less expensive is expected to begin production in Oregon soon.

EnerG2 of Seattle says it plans to build a plant in Albany, Ore., for commercial-scale production of high-performance carbon electrode material for use in ultracapacitors, devices that could lower the cost of electric vehicles.

The massive size of batteries needed to power a car can cause them to overheat and eventually fail. But an ultracapacitor could reduce the heat damage and make the batteries more efficient, possibly reducing the size.