ABB announced this week that it has formed a partnership with Nissan, 4R Energy and Sumitomo Corp to evaluate the reuse of Nissan Leaf lithium-ion battery packs in energy storage systems.
The Tech
GM upgrades Volt battery pack
Today, General Motors announced a set of enhancements to the Volt’s vehicle structure and battery coolant system in an attempt to put the burning-battery bugaboo behind it once and for all. Last May, a Volt battery caught fire after a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash test that punctured the battery pack and caused coolant… Read more »
BMW offers a sneak peek at its new EV iPhone app
BMW has posted a few screenshots of the new i3 iPhone application to its Facebook page, and EV groupies are drooling for more.
Time Magazine names PolyPlus lithium battery one of 2011’s 50 Best Inventions
The PolyPlus lithium-water battery could someday have a huge impact on EV technology.
Toyota secures mother lode of lithium in Argentina
Listen to my story ‘bout a company named Toyota Crankin out the Pria, tryin to make their sales quota Without enough batteries, production would halt Good thing they found a bunch of carbonate salt Lithium, that is…white gold…Argentine applesauce… …but seriously folks, Japanese news site Nikkei reported this week that the Toyota Tsusho Corporation… Read more »
Saft exporting lithium-ion batteries built at new Jacksonville plant
The 235,000-square-foot facility is ramping up volume to handle a projected $300 million in annual sales, and will employ 300 people once it’s running at full speed.
Russians and Chinese team up to build world’s largest battery factory
Liotech, a joint venture between Russian state-owned firm Nanotechnologies (RUSNANO) and Chinese holding company Thunder Sky Limited, held an opening ceremony this week for what they claim is the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory. The sprawling 40,000-square-meter plant near Novosibirsk was built in nine months – probably less time than it would take just to secure the building… Read more »
Sheetak and Delphi to develop battery-saving ACs for EVs
Sheetak Inc. announced that it has secured a $4.7 million contract with the Department of Energy to develop a thermal energy storage system for EVs.
Swedes partner to build new EV transmission
Three Swedish companies have designed a new transmission for electric vehicles, which will be on display for the first time at next week’s CTI Exhibition in Berlin.
Panasonic to provide power for plug-in Prius
Panasonic announced today that it will supply lithium-ion batteries for Toyota’s new Prius PHEV. The company is already supplying nickel-metal hydride batteries to several automakers, but this will be the first time its lithium-ion offerings appear in a production vehicle. The Japanese electronics giant is charging ahead in the battery business, with a major R&D… Read more »