Hitachi develops new high power lithium ion battery
Hitachi has just announced a new generation of its lithium ion batteries with significantly more specific power than current cells. The new cells have 70 percent more power than current cells and 50 percent more than the next-generation cells that go into production in 2010. The new cells are claimed to produce 4,500 W/kg along with 20 percent longer life than existing units. Hitachi expects to start producing the new cells sometime in the middle of the next decade.
In the meantime, Hitachi will be supplying lithium ion batteries to General Motors in 2010 for the next generation of the automaker's mild hybrid system. The nickel metal hydride battery pack in the current mild hybrids will be replaced by a smaller lighter lithium unit along with a significantly more powerful motor/generator.
[Source: Green Car Congress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark 3:45PM (4/27/2009)
This is the answer to the EV naysayers.
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Tohe 4:09PM (4/27/2009)
Bureaucracy lives on, even in the absence of oil. In my opinion, our Government should stop giving PATENTS to technological advancements that are crucial to National security and the sustainability of the environment (think of Chevron). Otherwise you end up with a bunch of companies doing anything in their power to maximize their profits.
High power only helps EREVs and parallel hybrids (allowing them either to be lighter or double their already marginal range), it does nothing for BEVs which require more energy(higher density cells). I'm all for progress, but this is certainly not the winning hand.
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Rich 4:47PM (4/27/2009)
Quote from the article:
"Hitachi expects to start producing the new cells sometime in the middle of the next decade."
Don't hold your breath!
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jharlan 8:32PM (4/27/2009)
2015 will be too late. They will be overrun by the pace of technological advance like a freight train.
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Dave 11:10AM (4/29/2009)
Don't be retarded people, you can't just invent something and then have it in mass production a year later. Let's move on to hydrogen anyway.
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Lad 1:56PM (4/28/2009)
It's all vapor until it reaches mass production status.
Vapor moves the stock market up and down and rewards those who are in the market churning business; but, doesn't do much for those of us who are looking for something we can hold in our hands.
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Darthh 3:35AM (6/01/2009)
To the poster who said,
"Government should stop giving PATENTS to technological advancements that are crucial to National security and the sustainability of the environment."
The day government stops awarding patents in this area is the day research and development in these areas will cease. Do you really think companies will invest millions of dollars in development costs if the government takes away their ability to recover the cost of development or profit from the risk that they have taken?
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cjsutton881 12:12AM (8/12/2009)
And what batteries do you think empowers Eaton corporation"s hybrid transmissions?
Do not be naysayers until you get the facts!
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