Industry News
Lithium ion battery could be a lucrative boost for hybrids
19th June 2006
If hybrids are ever going to earn automakers a profit, the cost of the batteries must decrease while the life of the battery pack increases. The number of battery suppliers also must expand so that batteries are just another commodity, like windshield wipers and headlights. Lithium ion – the same type of powerful, compact battery in cell phones and digital cameras – could be the battery that delivers all that and more.
Virtually all of today's hybrids use nickel-metal hydride batteries. Nickel metal has proved to be reliable, but the battery packs are heavy, and the materials inside are expensive compared with those in lithium-ion packs. Also, most experts think that hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid, will need a replacement battery pack after eight years or 100,000 miles.
When lithium-ion battery packs replace nickel-metal hydride packs in hybrids, they will be about the same size but half the weight. A lighter battery pack would improve performance and increase fuel economy. Ford sees lithium ion as the battery of the future for the company's growing fleet of hybrids.
However, lithium-ion batteries are extremely sensitive to temperature and must be kept cool and well-ventilated. Another problem is that not all lithium-ion batteries can be recharged quickly. Hybrid vehicles have regenerative braking systems, which create electricity when the driver applies the brakes. Nickel-metal batteries absorb that electricity quickly. Lithium-ion batteries need to be improved.
Manufacturers in Japan, Europe and the United States are working to replace nickel-metal hydride batteries with lithium ion. Earlier this month, Nissan Motor Co. launched the Atlas 20 medium-duty truck in Japan with lithium-ion batteries. Officials at Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and Johnson Controls Inc. say lithium-ion batteries will begin replacing nickel-metal hydride batteries in high volume around 2010. Johnson Controls has a joint venture with French battery maker Saft Groupe SA.
Source: Automotive News
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