The MN cells offer up to 50% higher energy density with comparable safety characteristics to Electrovaya’s Phosphate Series, according to Gitanjali DasGupta, Electrovaya’s Project Manager, Electric Vehicle Program.

The MN-Series has an energy density of up to 210 Wh/kg versus the Phosphate wSeries, which offers up to 140 Wh/kg. On a cell-level, the MN-Series offers a volumetric energy density of up to 425 Wh/L. On a system-level, the prismatic large-format construction enables a volumetric saving of up to 22% as compared to cylindrically constructed cells—a volumetric saving common to prismatic cells.

The battery pack will recharge from 0% to 80% in less than 2 hours at 220V; a complete recharge (0% to 100%) is approximately 4 hours. A full charge at 120V is overnight.

This is the first Ford Escape to be converted to a PHEV by Electrovaya and to be operated and tested by NYSERDA as part of the $10-million New York State Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Technology Initiative aimed at converting the State’s 500-plus standard hybrids to plug-in capability.

In December 2006, NYSERDA awarded four companies contracts for the conversion of conventional hybrids to plug-in hybrids: Hymotion, Hybrids Plus, Electrovaya and EnergyCS. (Earlier post.)

Evaluation will be carried out by Argonne National Laboratory, which has been has been designated by the US Department of Energy’s Office of FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies as lead national laboratory for the simulation, validation and laboratory evaluation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, as well as advanced technologies required for PHEVs.

By year’s end we will have six plug-in conversions, testing the three major hybrid brands already in the State fleet, Ford Escape, Toyota Prius and Honda Civic. In cooperation with US DOE, we will test them and place them into daily service among various State agencies. Those results will offer us data on the potential to convert more State vehicles.

—Paul D. Tonko, NYSERDA president and CEO