SB LiMotive to provide lithium-ion battery packs for Fiat 500EV (corrected)
08 November 2010
SB LiMotive, the 50:50 joint venture of Samsung SDI and Bosch formed in 2008 (earlier post), has been awarded the business to supply the lithium-ion battery packs for the Fiat 500EV, which will be launched in the US market in 2012. A123 Systems, earlier designated as a supplier for the Fiat 500EV, withdrew from the project in August. (Earlier post.) The Fiat 500EV is the first commercial electric vehicle program of Chrysler LLC and the Fiat Group.
This marks the first second application for SB LiMotive in the US EV market. BMW has selected SB LiMotive as a supplier for Li-ion batteries for the upcoming Megacity vehicle, an electric city vehicle planned for 2013 (earlier post). However, the SB LiMotive pack will be used in the BMW ActiveE, the BMW Group’s second phase field trial, which will hit US roads in summer 2011.
The Fiat 500EV powertrain comprises three main systems: the high-power electric powertrain module; lithium-ion battery pack; and an EV control unit to manage power flows. All powertrain engineering and vehicle development will take place at Chrysler Group headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. Vehicle pricing and other specifics will be announced closer to the Fiat 500EV launch.
Chrysler indicated that SB LiMotive earned this business because we can supply high-quality lithium-ion battery packs in the quantities needed, on-time to the market. Additionally, SB LiMotive has the technical expertise Chrysler will require as it launches this important program. Our established global footprint was a further strong point in our favor. We look forward to partnering with Chrysler in bringing this exciting new vehicle to market.
—Dr. Joachim Fetzer, Executive Vice President of SB LiMotive
The battery packs are developed in Orion, Mich.; the battery cells will be produced in Korea; and the battery packs will be assembled in Springboro, Ohio.
Chrysler is the vehicle electrification center of competence for both Chrysler LLC and the Fiat Group.
I hope the battery pack doesn't make it too heavy - it is not a very large car (I have a petrol one).
Let's hope they don't wreck the dynamics by attempting to give it more than 100 miles (nominal) range.
It is a city car - the trick after electrification is to leave it a "good" city car.
Posted by: mahonj | 08 November 2010 at 03:47 PM