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New Li-Ion Battery Extends Range of iMiEV by 20-30%
13 October 2007
The latest version of a large format lithium-ion battery from a joint venture between GS Yuasa and Mitsubishi Motors (earlier post) has extended the range of the Mitsubishi iMiEV to 160-170 km (99-106 miles), up from around 130 km (81 miles), according to the Nikkei.
Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and GS Yuasa Corporation announced the establishment of the JV in May 2007.
In addition to supplying batteries for the iMiEV, which Mitsubishi plans to launch commercially in 2010, the JV will provide batteries to other automakers for EV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) applications and for energy storage use in industrial applications.
The 3.7 V, 50 Ah LEV50 cells are based on the LIM series of large-format Lithium-ion batteries manufactured by GS Yuasa (currently the only mass producer of large-format Li-ion batteries in Japan).
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| The elements of the Next Generation Batteries for the Commercialization of Plug-in HVs, FCVs, and EVs project. Click to enlarge. |
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) have launched a new research program, “Next Generation Batteries for the Commercialization of Plug-in HVs, FCVs, and EVs (FY2007-2011)”. In this project, which comprises 26 research topics, GS Yuasa Corporation is developing a polyanion cathode material.
Resources:
Battery Technologies for Cars. IEA Workshop, June 2007
October 13, 2007 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
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Comments
Didn't later versions of the EV1 have ranges of 110+ miles?
Posted by: cs1992 | Oct 13, 2007 2:10:10 PM
Yes, but with over 900 pounds of NiMH batteries.
Posted by: AES | Oct 13, 2007 3:39:43 PM
Sounds like a good product. Next question is how many of these do I need and how much does it cost.
3.7 volts * 50 Ah = 185 watts per cell.
185 watts times 100 cells = 18500 watt battery pack. That would be enough for a small car to get around town.
Does anyone know how much 100 of these cells would cost?
Posted by: zevutah | Oct 13, 2007 7:12:53 PM
That's watt-hours, not watts. Watch your units (you've got hours on the left side but not on the right).
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | Oct 13, 2007 7:49:40 PM
If the range is 81 miles, and most electric cars use about 200Wh/mile, then the pack needs to hold at least 16200Wh or ~88 cells. Maybe more to prevent deep-cycling.
The critical questions are energy density and stability. And yes, cost as well.
Posted by: AES | Oct 13, 2007 8:18:34 PM
Waiting for Godot to drive up in Chevy Volt - the Japanese version
Posted by: jcwinnie | Oct 14, 2007 5:27:38 AM
Mitsu, Nissan and Subaru all are rushing to maret with city commuter BEVs. With gradual improvements, well get our $30K sedans as well.
Posted by: kert | Oct 14, 2007 12:29:27 PM
Looking at the graphic, I see they are also pursuing the future potential of lithium-sulphur.
If they manage to crack the safety and longevity problems of that couple, they can easily hit 500 Wh/kg (Altair/A123 are at 100 Wh/kg, best lithium-cobalt around 220 Wh/kg).
That would mean a 300 mile range (60 kWh) pack would weigh only 120 kg.
Posted by: clett | Oct 15, 2007 2:39:53 AM
