Panasonic starts feasability studies for manufacturing LiIon cells
We've all heard about the reports that Toyota has delayed plans to incorporate lithium ion batteries into their hybrid vehicles due to safety concerns. Toyota has a battery joint venture with Panasonic that produces the nickel metal hydride batteries used in current Toyota hybrids. Panasonic has reportedly been working on lithium cobalt oxide chemistries like those used in consumer electronics batteries. It's not clear yet what direction Panasonic has decided to take with lithium batteries, but they are evidently moving forward. During an end of year speech, Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe announced that Panasonic EV Energy was studying what it would take to start manufacturing lithium ion cells for automotive applications. There's no word on when production might actually happen, but at least they are looking at what it would take. [Source: Toyota, via GreenCarCongress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Smog 10:31PM (12/27/2007)
I hope the will not get sued as they were when they made a fantastic all-electric RAV-4 out of NiMh batteries that were bigger than a AA battery so also out of the range specified in the contract Panasonic signed with Chevron, the holder of the patent.
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Chris M 3:18AM (12/29/2007)
The problem with LiIon batteries using cobalt oxide is that if it gets too hot, the cobalt oxide breaks down, releasing oxygen that causes the hydrocarbon electrolyte to burn, resulting in runaway heating and fire. LiIon batteries without cobalt oxide, like those from A123, Valence, Saft, Altairnano, etc. are much more heat resistant.
On the other hand, the cobalt oxide LiIon batteries have higher energy density than the safer alternatives. That leads to greater range or smaller battery packs.
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