Ener1 and Kyushu Electric to Partner on Rapid Recharging Systems
19 November 2008
Lithium-ion batterymaker Ener1, Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kyushu Electric Power (KEPCO), the fourth-largest publicly traded power and utility company in Japan on working together to create and manufacture rapid recharging systems for electric vehicles.
KEPCO has already developed advanced rapid charging stands and plans to customize that solution with the EnerDel High Energy Pack System. KEPCO says that its next-generation electric vehicle rapid charging station has exhibited one of the highest levels of performance for rapid charging in Japan.
The target date to have the first integrated systems available is by March, 2009. The relationship will accelerate the development and diffusion of charging systems to match the anticipated growth in electric vehicles.
The ability to rapidly recharge lithium-ion batteries will be crucial in enabling the widespread adoption of the electric vehicle, according to the partners, and it is anticipated that these systems will allow customers to recharge up to 80% of their vehicle’s battery capacity in less than 20 minutes.
Ener1, Altair and Toshiba's advanced batteries can be recharged very quickly up to 15 000 times. That's enough for 20 to 25 years of normal usage.
Once their ernergy density has been improved and recharge stations are available, BEVs equipped with those batteries will be practical.
Affordability remains to be addressed. That will come with mass production with 2 to 4 years.
Posted by: HarveyD | 19 November 2008 at 09:37 AM
It would make sense for this partnership to pilot a fleet of CNG/electric hybrid buses in Japan. Rapid charge stations situated above route end-points would allow 30-40% increase in electric drive train operation on a daily basis. If the Enerdel batteries can handle the fast charge over 15k cycles like the Altair NanoSafe batts - they have a winner.
Posted by: gr | 19 November 2008 at 11:22 AM
gr:
Very good point. Such quick charge stations could be installed at every bus stop on major down town routes. PHEV city buses could operate on e-power most of the time. The same approach could be used on dual-mode suburb commuter trains.
Posted by: HarveyD | 20 November 2008 at 08:41 AM