Ricardo and QinetiQ Begin Project to Demonstrate Low-Cost Li-Ion Technology for Hybrid Vehicles

7 November 2007

Ricardo and QinetiQ have embarked on a two-year collaborative project which aims to dramatically reduce the costs of lithium-ion batteries for hybrid vehicles while protecting or further improving vehicle performance.

The specific objective of the Reduced cost Li-Ion (RED-LION) project is to demonstrate the application of new Li-ion cell chemistry in a hybrid vehicle battery with an estimated production cost one-third that of conventional battery technologies and around half the weight.

If successful, this technology could make hybrid and electric vehicles commercially more attractive and hence make a significant impact on global CO₂ emissions.

In June 2006 Ricardo, QinetiQ and PSA Peugeot-Citroën unveiled their 100g/km CO₂ Efficient-C full hybrid diesel demonstrator vehicle based on a Citroën Berlingo Multispace. (Earlier post.) The Efficient-C used a 288V, 2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

While this vehicle provided superior performance compared with the equivalent current production turbo-diesel model, the project partners estimated that its incremental manufacturing cost needed to be reduced by around 50% (to approximately €2,000) for the technology to become fully commercially viable based on prevailing fuel prices and consumer fiscal incentives.

The battery system represents around one-third of the incremental manufacturing cost of a typical hybrid vehicle as well as considerable addition to the vehicle mass. If successful, the RED-LION project will demonstrate commercially viable technologies that are capable of delivering sub-100g/km CO₂ emissions with superior performance compared to the equivalent current production vehicle.

QinetiQ has a strong track record in delivering high-energy Lithium-Ion battery technology to military customers. This leading edge battery technology emanating from defence is now poised to make a significant difference to the viability of hybrid vehicles with the RED-LION project helping to ensure that cost does not stand in the way of more widespread commercial adoption.

—Mel Brooks, managing director of QinetiQ’s Energy and Materials business

The RED-LION project is part-funded by the by the Energy Saving Trust’s Low Carbon R&D Programme on behalf of the UK government’s Department for Transport, with balancing contributions made by the participating companies. The Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit organization, funded both by government and the private sector.

Ricardo is a leading independent technology provider and strategic engineering consultant to the world’s transportation sector industries. QinetiQ (pronounced ki net ik as in kinetic energy) is a leading international defense and security technology company that was formed in July 2001 from the UK Government’s Defence Evaluation & Research Agency (DERA).