Altairnano still in the game for Phoenix Motorcars
It appears that along with re-engineering the powertrain of their upcoming electric vehicles Phoenix Motor Cars has decided to hedge their battery bet. Phoenix was the first company to commit to using Altairnano's lithium titanate batteries in an automotive applications. However Canadian battery supplier Electrovaya announced the other day that they would be supplying battery packs to Phoenix. The obvious question is what becomes of Altairnano? According to Phoenix Marketing VP Bryon Bliss, the company will be offering packs from multiple suppliers. Both Altairnano and Electrovaya batteries will be sold for the upcoming SUV and sport utility truck. The Altairnano batteries have the advantage of being able to withstand 10 minute rapid charges. Unfortunately they only have about half the energy density of other lithium battery technologies and so far they are also much more expensive. We're still trying to get more clarification on timing and cost differences for the different battery packs and we'll keep you updated.
[Source: Green Car Congress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Paul 1:30PM (5/08/2008)
As an ALTI stockholder who's been reamed by market value lately, I'm hoping that perhaps this forms a breach of contract by Phoenix and now removes the exclusivity clause for Altair. SUT's (and SUV's and cars) are really not the proper place for these batteries due to the above-mentioned energy density issue as well as the problem of high-speed charge infrastructure. Much better would be metro delivery vans, airport shuttles, etc. with more room for batteries, the ability to install local charging stations, and the need to keep their vehicles running with as little downtime as possible.
Altair needs desperately to find markets suited to their batteries. Power load stations are one that they are trying, but vehicles still have major potential. The exclusivity agreement with lame-duck Phoenix (which may or may not every rise from the flames) has REALLY hurt them, especially domestically.
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Nicholas 8:44PM (5/08/2008)
Sam, I think you got the facts wrong about the energy density for Altairnano batteries. I believe it's more than the average lithium-ion battery. Altairnano states around 4000W per kilo, while the average lithium-ion battery has about 1000W per kilo in capacity.
http://www.altairnano.com
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Kevin Nugent 4:36PM (5/08/2008)
All i know is that i hope ZAP KEEPS IT PROMISE and full fills their tech specs
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kert 4:43PM (5/08/2008)
ho hum, still "upcoming truck" eh ? so, any word on delivery dates ?
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Paul 9:25PM (5/08/2008)
Nicholas, you're confusing energy density with power density. Power density is how much power can be drawn at any given time from a given mass of material (measured in watts per kg on their site). This is where Altair shines. They can really pump out (and in) the power. Energy density is how much potential energy can be stored per given mass of material (measured in watt-hours per kg). Here, Altair is on par with NiMH batteries, which puts them I believe at about half the density of graphite-based Li-Ion batteries. So, you need twice the weight and bulk in "nanosafe" batteries to provide the equivalent capacity of other competitors. And since the cost is currently so high, this is a big issue for personal transportation uses.
Of course, the batteries are otherwise amazing. Perhaps energy density can be improved, but even if not, there are SO many potential uses for them if only the cost can be brought down to manageable levels.
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