Vans, trucks and buses: The first phase of the plug-in revolution?

Dodge and Johnson Controls ready to test plug-in hybrid vehicles

When it comes to plug-in hybrid vehicles, it all comes down to the battery. Unfortunately, the lithium-ion batteries used in plug-in hybrid vehicles can be quite large - taking up valuable trunk space, etc.

Johnson Controls think they have a good near term solution for functional plug-in hybrid vehicles on which to test their lithium batteries. According to Johnson Controls, the Dodge Sprinter van is "an ideal vehicle to carry a large battery pack and still have ample room readily accessible for use as a delivery vehicle."

"Advanced battery technology is the single most important enabler in making all types of electric vehicles practical," says Mary Ann Wright, who leads the JCS joint venture and is vice president and general manager of Johnson Controls' hybrid battery business.. "Plug-in hybrids, conventional hybrids, electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will benefit from Lithium-ion technology. Johnson Controls-Saft is determined to deliver state-of-the-art batteries to power advanced, environmentally friendly vehicles."

Testing lithium technology on such vehicles provides not only a great testing environment for a plethora of real world driving conditions, it should also help perfect lithium chemistry until it can be squeezed into even the smallest hybrid cars and electric vehicles.

Sounds like a perfect fit for the U.S. Postal Service, Federal Express, school buses and on and on, let's hope the technology finds its way into these fleets as soon as possible.