Battery and ultracapacitor device and method of use

A battery and ultracapacitor device for use in a vehicle, comprising:

• (a) a secondary battery cell including a positive electrode and a first negative electrode comprising a first segment;
• and
• (b) an electrochemical double-layer capacitor comprising the positive electrode and a second negative electrode comprising a second segment, the first negative electrode being adjacent to the second negative electrode.

A method for powering an electrical motor for use in a vehicle having an electrical charging device and using a battery and ultracapacitor device comprising a nickel oxyhydroxide positive electrode, a combined negative electrode comprising a metal hydride negative electrode portion and an active carbon negative electrode portion communicating with the positive electrode, the positive electrode and the active carbon negative electrode portion comprising an ultracapacitor portion of the device, the positive electrode and the metal hydride negative electrode portion comprising a battery portion of the device, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the combined negative electrode, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) controlling a current from the negative electrode using a single controller for the battery and ultracapacitor device when electrically discharging the device;
• and
• (b) powering the electrical motor of the vehicle using the electron flow.