One of the caveats holding electric cars back from widespread adoption is the range limits that batteries impose. If the claims of a German battery company are to be believed, those problems could soon be a thing of the past.

DBM Energy recently held a road test for reporters to see if their batteries, which are primarily used in forklifts, could be adopted for road vehicles. The company modified a used Audi A2 for use in the test.

The results were somewhat jaw-dropping. Over 7 hours, the Audi A2 was able to travel 375 miles averaging 55 miles per hour. Perhaps even more shockingly, the battery only required a 6-minute charge. At the end of the ride, the CEO of the company, Mirko Hannemann, offered to charge the batteries of reporters' cell phones with the remaining juice.

At this point skeptics might assume that these batteries were highly expensive and years away from adoption. Yet DBM claims that it can manufacture the batteries for cheaper than the lithium ion solutions being used by cars like the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt.

If the company eventually does achieve a breakthrough, it could change the future of electric cars. Those interested in green technology may want to hold off on a new car purchase until the range is improved, instead buying a more affordable used car for the time being.