TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: The drive system includes means for connecting and disconnecting the engine and motor from driving the vehicle. The negative electrode has a tab welded to a porous metal substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Conditions: The peak power density is at least 600 W/Kg for an energy density of at least 70 Wh/kg, at least 550 W/Kg for an energy density of at least 55 Wh/kg and at least 600 W/Kg for an energy density of at least 50 Wh/kg.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The battery module comprises porous metal substrate negative electrodes comprising copper, copper alloy, copper coated nickel or copper alloy coated nickel. The negative electrode comprises a disordered alloy.(Base Alloy)aCobMncAldFeeLafMog where, in atomic percent, b = 0 - 7.5, c = 0 - 8.5, d = 0 - 2.5, e = 0 - 6, f = 0 - 4.5, g = 0-6.5, b + c + d + e + f + g is greater than 0 and a + b + c + d + e + f + g = 100. The positive electrode comprises active material comprising a disordered gamma-phase material preferably further comprising an additive comprising nickel particles or fibers, graphite particles, nickel plated copper or graphite particles, fibers, nickel flakes or nickel plated copper flakes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: A hydrophobic material, preferably a 1 % aqueous solution of PTFE is used in conjunction with a negative electrode. EXAMPLE - A prior art cell comprised a pasted negative electrode construction, a nickel negative current collector, a misch metal negative alloy composition, a pasted thin nickel hydroxide positive electrode, a thin polypropylene separator in a plastic case. An optimized prototype cell according to the invention comprised a copper substrate negative electrode construction, a copper negative current collector, a V18Ti15Zr18Ni29Cr5Co7Mn8 negative alloy composition, a pasted gamma-phase thin nickel hydroxide positive electrode with conductive additives, a thin polypropylene separator in a stainless steel case. The comparison cell. The cell according to the invention had 2700 W/L power density, 1000 W/Kg specific power, 160 Wh/L energy density and 60 Wh/L specific energy.