EnerDel Ships First Prototype Li-ion Pack to Think Global

1 April 2008

EnerDel has delivered the first mechanical prototype of the lithium-ion battery pack for the new TH!NK City vehicle to Think Global for form and fit evaluation. The pack has been installed in a sample vehicle, which the Norwegian company delivered to EnerDel’s Indianapolis facility last week.

EnerDel uses a layered manganese oxide cathode technology. The EnerDel packs for the TH!NK City are spec’d at 26 kWh capacity, with a gravimetric density of 100 Wh/kg. Range with the EnerDel pack is to be 180 km (112 miles). (Earlier post.)

Through the end of April, EnerDel will deliver additional functional prototype packs that will be tested at EnerDel, evaluated in the sample electric vehicle, and undergo third-party performance assessment. Before the end of the first half of the year, EnerDel expects to have its electric vehicle battery pack operating in the TH!NK City. EnerDel is providing a total systems solution for the battery pack, including cells, electronics and vehicle integration.

EnerDel is increasing capacity for volume production of the lithium-ion battery system for Think, including by tapping the company’s close relationship with ITOCHU Corporation. As a global leader in the provision of automotive battery-making equipment, ITOCHU serves as a strategic partner of Ener1 for the development of manufacturing capacity. ITOCHU provided venture-round funding to Ener1 in 2003.