Lithium breakthroughs just around the corner?

Who can make the best lithium anode

Interesting article in Technology Review regarding new techniques for developing lithium-ion batteries - breakthroughs that could instantly double the range of battery-powered vehicles. A number of researchers have been working on developing cost-effective ways of creating nanoporous silicon electrodes, with positive results, although many still believe that mass-production of such materials would be too cost-prohibitive for use in autos.

Still, while nanoporous silicon might not be the next big thing in batteries, most researchers believe that there is still a lot of potential to tap into when it comes to lithium batteries. Unlike the NiMH batteries powering today's hybrid cars, the upside potential of lithium batteries is still huge.

Interestingly, another piece of research cited in the report was the "impressive" work that GM demonstrated in September using silicon-coated carbon fibers in their lithium anodes.

Too much hope built on hybrids?

Not another fuel cell vehicle

The hydrogen economy. For decades that was Detroit's mantra. Why worry about trying to increase fuel economy when gas was cheap and fuel cell vehicles were just around the corner, they argued. After decades of delays, the success of the Toyota Prius, and battery development breakthroughs, most have come to favor the plug-in revolution, rather than the hydrogen revolution. While hydrogen might make sense one day, battery-powered electrification makes more sense today.

But does plug-in electrification make enough sense today?

No one has yet proven that the safe, reliable and cost-effective mass production of battery technology for plug-ins is viable. Likewise, most lithium is mined in only a few places in the world, and there is much potential for supply and demand conflicts. Current NiMH technology, found in today's hybrid vehicles, is even more problematic for wide scale adoption.

None of this should be used as an excuse to limit efforts towards electrification. However, it does beg the question of whether electrification is enough, at least for today. Hence, isn't a push towards much smaller and lighter vehicles, for instance, also very important? Ultimately, shouldn't the revolution of the automobile be about much more than just what powers an automobile?

3rd Gen Prius will NEVER use lithium?

NiMH-only until fourth gen Prius?

Due to costs and reliability concerns, Toyota has decided that the third generation Prius will never use lithium-ion batteries during its lifetime. Instead, the third generation of the Hybrid Synergy Drive will continue to use NiMH batteries - at least for the Prius - until at least the fourth generation Prius according to an unconfirmed report.

Toyota, according to the report, still plans to use lithium in the future. Also, Toyota has hinted at the possibility of lithium-powered Lexus hybrid vehicles. Thus, considering the production increases expected for the 2010 Prius, perhaps it's just not the right platform to validate lithium technology.

10 percent EV by 2016, or 100 percent hybrid?

Bigger impact: $19,000 hybrid or $30,000 plug-in?

A while back I was reading about how EnerDel was increasing its battery producing capabilities in expectation of some new lithium-ion contracts. Essentially, EnerDel will have the ability to produce enough batteries for 45,000 electric vehicles per year, or 450,000 hybrid electric vehicles. For weeks now, these numbers have been churning in my head.

Then, on the eve of the LA Auto Show, Nissan CEO Carol Ghosn told CNBC that he believed that by 2016, the combined auto industry would be able to make 10 percent of the US fleet electric.

Well, using those EnerDel numbers, if there are enough batteries to convert 10 percent of conventional vehicles into electric vehicles, then there would be enough batteries to convert 100 percent of conventional vehicles into hybrid vehicles.

Which path is more productive? Are some automakers focusing on EVs because it delays a fast, massive change, while offseting the fuel economy of CAFE-killing guzzlers?

Isn't a Volt delay inevitable?

All about the battery

GM is on life support. Without government money, bankruptcy is inevitable. Yet, GM has made it clear that not only is work on Chevy Volt development ongoing, but that more resources and money are being put into the Volt - the icon of GM's future.

Still, the most critical element of the Volt's success - the lithium-ion battery - is dependent upon technologies not wholly owned by GM. Ultimately, the battery supplier is almost just as important as anything GM is doing.

Isn't it, therefore, reasonable to assume that Volt suppliers might proceed cautiously and slowly until the viability of GM is guaranteed?

Lithium questions continue for plug-ins

Shortages, costs and environmental concerns

Even before the first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicles hit the road, questions continue to mount regarding the viability of lithium to power these new vehicles. Some have questioned lithium supplies. Some have questioned long term costs.

Essentially, if demand outpaces supply for many years, economies of scale won't bring lithium costs down. Instead, the competition for these supplies might increase the costs of lithium batteries. And it isn't just cars, but a rapidly growing electronics industry is also sucking up these supplies. Some are already speculating that lithium will lead to significant political tensions between South America and the US.

And, lately, environmental concerns have also been raised. Check out CNET's latest article for more.

With Sanyo, Panasonic dominates hybrid batteries

Panasonic to acquire Sanyo

Today, Panasonic develops batteries for Toyota's hybrid cars. Tomorrow, it will also develop batteries for the hybrids of Ford, Honda, and VW with its acquisition of Sanyo.

"The top officials of the two companies have also agreed in their meeting that Sanyo’s management independence will be respected, said the sources, adding the corporate and brand names will be maintained...Panasonic would secure a dominant global market share in the lithium-ion battery business and would obtain the photovoltaic cell business by acquiring Sanyo."

Source: GreenCarCongress

LG Chem picked as Volt battery supplier

A123Systems still in it?

According to a number of sources, GM has picked LG Chem and Compact Power to develop the lithium-ion batteries for the Chevy Volt, although GM is not officially confirming this report.

Nonetheless, the same sources also report that GM will continue to work with A123Systems on future battery developments. Apparently, the Volt deal might not be purely about technology either, but the willingness of suppliers to share warranty costs.

Furthermore, a majority of the Volt prototypes currently use LG Chem batteries and GM has been happy with those batteries thus far.

A123Systems and the perfect hybrid battery

Made in America

About a month ago, when Chrysler announced its new plug-in vehicles, it seemed hard to believe that Chrysler might be as close to plug-ins as GM and the Chevy Volt. But there are now a few tantalizing details about the batteries powering Chrysler's ENVI, or electric drive initiative, vehicles that should spark any hybrid fan's interest.

Chrysler's batteries were developed in coordination with GE under a DOE grant, and the batteries took a slightly different path than other lithium batteries, using two chemistry's rather than one - one for power and one for energy.

Along with $55 million dollars, GCG is reporting GE has also conveyed this battery research to A123Systems, a company of which GE now owns 9 percent. Aside from providing batteries for many Toyota Prius conversions, A123 also developed lithium batteries for Volt testing.

This dual lithium chemistry could be the key to the widespread concerns regarding lithium longevity, especially in hybrid cars. Hopefully, this isn't just pre-IPO hype.

2010: Hyundai hybrids finally come to US

Will be Hyundai's first full hybrid

In 2010, Hyundai will finally begin selling hybrid cars in the US. The Hyundai Sonata is scheduled to be the first hybrid to hit US shores.

More interesting, Hyundai plans to sell the Sonata hybrid as a lithium-powered hybrid vehicle that should increase fuel economy by 70 percent. LG Chem will provide the batteries.

Hyundai plans to sell 50,000 Sonata hybrids in the first year, but the automaker wants to quickly ramp up hybrid production to 500,000 hybrids - including other hybrid models - per year by 2018 according to AutoWeek.

Lithium fantasies power plug-in hybrids?

Hymotion lithium battery pack in Prius

Tien Duong of the U.S. Department of Energy told a conference at the ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY that costs and life of lithium batteries are still a major obstacle to cost-effective plug-in hybrid vehicles.

"Life means 10 years, plus. For hybrids we know (their batteries) last 10 years plus. For the PHEV (plug-in electric vehicle), we don't know," Duong said.

"One of the phenomenons that cuts short the life of the battery is power. You may have a lot of energy, but if you run out of power, that's no good," he said.

2 battery packs for every Volt

Battery replacements in the warranty

Thus far, whenever GM discusses the ongoing lithium ion battery tests for the Chevy Volt, it's all sunshine. Yet, GM is also assuming that many Volts will need to have their lithium battery packs replaced while under warranty. But, no worries, lithium costs will quickly come down, at least that's GM's position, but is GM assuming too much, or demonstrating bold leadership?

Finish: 2 battery packs for every Volt

Lithium: The right gamble?

Or too big of a bet?

Today, Toyota is dominating the the hybrid scene, and while Toyota is moving towards lithium, it's also moving beyond lithium - at least in the lab. Then again, lithium has yet to make its way out of the lab. So, does that mean anything? And, like Toyota, Honda will also embrace NiMH technology as lithium is developed.

While most other automakers will also roll out some NiMH-powered hybrid vehicles, none have offered nearly as aggressive hybrid production numbers as Honda or Toyota - not until lithium.

Just a decade ago, most automakers didn't want to embrace hybrids or electric vehicles, as fuel cell vehicles - the next big thing then - were just around the corner. Isn't this lithium or bust mentality the same kind of eggs in one basket mind set that has US automakers struggling for survival?

More Fed involvement on hybrid and EV batteries?

Hymotion lithium-ion battery pack from A123Systems

An organization affiliated with the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is working with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co and other Japanese companies to develop common standards for the lithium-ion batteries that will soon power various types of hybrid cars and electric vehicles.

Together with the Tokyo Electric Power Co the organization is hoping to "come up with a draft of the standards covering testing and charging methods, vehicle safety and other areas," according to recent reports, which the group hopes to pitch to the International Organization for Standardization.

Considering the costs associated with oil dependency, especially foreign dependency recently, should the government be taking a far more active role in the electrification of the automobile?

Is McCain's battery prize really that dumb?

And the X-Prize was worth only $10 million

When I first heard of John McCain's battery prize and tax credit for EVs, I wasn't impressed. I wanted tax credits for today's hybrid vehicles. Others, such as Cars.com have called it hype, and the DetroitNews even called it dumb. Barrack Obama called it a gimmick.

Ironically, Obama has ethanol contests planned, and I'm pretty confident there isn't a bigger "gimmick" than corn-based ethanol.

Still, the X-Prize inspired many to risk lives to achieve back-to-back suborbital space flights that many claimed impossible - all for just $10 million. For a small start-up, the potential of a $300 million dollar prize could be quite alluring. And, let's be honest, the US auto industry has been stuck in the box for decades, such a battery prize could help a small company compete against this in-the-box mentality.

Granted, a battery prize is not comprehensive energy policy - not by a moonshot - but isn't a little competition better than just the handouts that have gotten us nowhere in the past?

Hybrid battery competition simmering

But it won't boil until 2010?

It seems every few weeks there is a new battery announcement regarding hybrid cars. Samsung and Bosch have announced the latest joint venture on batteries for hybrid vehicles according to Yahoo. While exciting for fans of the electrification of the automobile, this venture, like most hybrid battery ventures, won't fully be rolling until 2010. Yes, the hybrid revolution is growing, but it still won't really heat up until at least 2010, when battery competition for hybrids finally boils over.

US automakers bent over a hybrid battery?

A couple of GM lithium-ion battery packs

So, Toyota can't keep up with hybrid demand because of a lack of battery packs. GM's mild hybrid vehicles have suffered sluggish sales due to a battery malfunction, and GM still has yet to finalize battery technology for the Chevy Volt. When it comes to the future of the automobile, batteries are becoming the key technology.

By next year, Toyota could be close to producing a million hybrid vehicles per year. Honda, the second biggest hybrid producer, is hoping to sell a couple hundred thousand hybrids per year. Every other automaker is talking tens of thousands of hybrids, if any at all, and some automakers seem pinned to lithium-ion technology.

Now, lithium might be the future for hybrids and electric vehicles, but that future might still be at least 5 years away from mass-production viability, unless Toyota gets there first. However, if Toyota is selling a million hybrids, or more, per year by next year, can US automakers afford to wait several more years before truly taking on Toyota's hybrids?

EnerDel lithium batteries test well in Prius

Ready to power the hybrid revoltuion?

EnerDel has been testing it's 1.1 kWh lithium-ion pack with the help of Argonne Labs. The current test simply replaces the NiMH battery pack of a Toyota Prius with EnerDel's 1.1 kWH battery pack, and the results have been fantastic: 77.41 mpg in urban driving. Basically, the lithium battery offers twice as much power as the NiMH battery, wider states of charge, less internal resistance and more charge. Thus, the lithium battery can be half the size and weight of a NiMH battery while offering the same power, and even better performance, according to EnerDel. Most important, their battery will cost significantly less than a comparable NiMH battery.

While the batteries are being tested on conventional hybrid vehicles, the batteries also offer potential for plug-in hybrid vehicles as well.

Chevy Volt is GM's number one priority

Still planned for November 2010

Frank Weber, Global Vehicle Line Executive of the Chevy Volt, told a group of reporters today that the Volt was now GM's "number one priority", and that "several hundred engineers are now feverishly working on this project."

To prove the point, reporters were shown the Chevy Volt that has been road tested for the last 6 months with NiMH batteries, as the first lithium-ion battery packs underwent lab testing. By the end of April, however, the same road-tested Volt will be fitted with lithium-ion batteries, and by June there will be about a dozen lithium-powered Volts undergoing every type of testing imaginable.

Finish: Chevy Volt is GM's number one priority

Lithium shortage to kill next gen hybrids?

Not a chance!

So, last night I was nursing a glass of wine while discussing why the Chevy Volt should or should not be called a hybrid vehicle with some GM Volt engineers and David Vieau, President and CEO of A123Systems - one of GM's Volt battery partners. Eventually, that conversation ended and I started asking David a bunch of questions about lithium batteries.

Finish: Lithium shortage to kill next gen hybrids?

Hybrid Revolution: Do mild hybrids hold the key?

Mild hybrids on steroids

There has been a lot of talk in the auto world regarding lithium-powered mild hybrid vehicles for some time. Multiple automakers have been discussing prototypes and concepts designed around such potential drivetrains for months.

BAM! Then, BMW kicked it up a notch with the debut of the BMW X5 lithium-powered mild hybrid.

BAM! A couple of short weeks later, Finish reading....

Mercedes first to lithium hybrids?

Coming to America in late 2009?

In the third quarter of 2009, Mercedes-Benz is planning to begin selling the lithium-powered Mercedes S400 hybrid vehicle. The 3.5 liter V6 gasoline electric hybrid should achieve almost 30 mpg, and it could be the first mass-produced lithium-powered hybrid.

Sometime thereafter, Mercedes will also launch a lithium powered diesel hybrid, the S300 Bluetec hybrid, a 2.2 liter twin-turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel hybrid that is expected to achieve more than 43 mpg.

According to AutoWeek, Mercedes-Benz has will control the thermodynamics of lithium "by integrating the lithium-ion batteries directly into the cooling system of the car to allow them to operate at an optimum temperature of between 59 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Mercedes says it has been working on the underlying technology since 1992, creating 25 patents in the process.

"What we have here is a groundbreaking key technology that is going to be a decisive factor for the future success of the automotive industry," says Thomas Weber, head of Mercedes-Benz research and development."

Mercedes - the future king of hybrid cars?

LiNiN: The future for hybrid vehicles?

A perfect car for LiNiN?

New research coming out of Europe "compared the performance of Li-ion batteries made with negative electrodes composed of lithium nickel nitride (LiNiN) to conventional Li-ion batteries containing conventional carbonaceous anodes. They found that the new materials are more efficient than the conventional electrodes and less likely to overheat."

No word on cost-effectiveness, etc. Still, LiNiN batteries offer the potential of increased energy capacity at lower voltages, an important factor for hybrid cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles, because it makes managing unintended thermodynamic events easier. So, hopefully the research pans out into something marketable.

A Prius shortage caused by lithium?

How could Toyota let there be a shortage of hybrids?

If hybrid cars are the future, one would assume selling as many hybrids as soon as possible would be smart because it's the quickest path to economies of scale. Some even argue it's the best path to lithium and plug-in hybrids as well.

So, why is Toyota claiming that a Toyota Prius shortage is possible?

Could it be lithium? Is lithium forcing NiMH battery manufacturers to scale back their NiMH manufacturing in favor of lithium-ion research and development? Believe it or not, but has Toyota actually perfected the lithium battery for the third generation Toyota Prius and the third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive? Read more.....

Has Chevron stalled hybrid and electric vehicles?

Does Chevron make NiMH licensing for hybrids too hard?

Who killed the electric car? GM did when it sold its stake in NiMH battery patents to Chevron many conspiracy theorists claim. Are they right?

Would there be many more hybrid vehicles today if not for Chevron? Read more.....

Johnson Controls-Saft opens lithium battery plant for automobiles

Johnson batteries will power this Mercedes soon

Hybrid cars and plug-in hybrid vehicles hold great promise to those wanting to combat global warming and foreign oil dependency. Of course, there just aren't many lithium batteries being produced these days for use in automobiles, and that's a problem.

Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions has taken a small step towards addressing that issue by opening a new lithium battery plant in France as the company prepares to start making lithium batteries for automakers such as Mercedes. (more)

Is a lithium shortage possible?

Time to rethink hybrid chemistry?

"Lithium batteries are being touted as a way forward for electric cars, but according to William Tahil, director of research for Meridian International Research this could result in the world's lithium supply drying up really fast.

In his newly released white paper entitled, "The Trouble with Lithium", he points out that the vast majority of world's supply of lithium carbonate, is only found in China, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. He estimates total world lithium metal reserves at just 6,200,000 metric tons."

Lithium revolution still years away?

Even mild hybrids will use lithium

In 2008 Continental Automotive will begin series production of lithium-ion battery packs, which is good news since Continental is one of the suppliers of the Chevy Volt. Still, Continental is only planning on producing a few thousand battery packs.

"It will not be a hundred thousand units a year," stated CEO Manfred Wennmer recently,"but certainly a few thousand.... This is the battery of the future: for both full- and mild-, as well as plug-in hybrid drive and pure electric cars."

While it's great news to hear that some companies are beginning to scale towards the mass production of lithium battery packs, it's also a reminder that the lithium revolution is still, minimally, several years away from wide scale reality.

Hybrid cars: Is plugging in always the best option?

A great highway car?

In the past I have claimed the best hybrid cars are plug-in hybrid vehicles, and to a great extent, I still believe this to be the case, particularly if those PHEVs receive their electricity from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power.

Nonetheless, are PHEVs in danger of being over-hyped, at the expense of other technologies? Read more.....

Hyundai picks LG Chem for hybrid batteries

Hyundai hybrids in 2009

When Hyundai begins mass-producing hybrid vehicles in 2009, it appears that some, or all, of those hybrids will be made using lithium-ion batteries produced by LG Chem. LG Chem is also producing batteries for GM's Chevy Volt.

New York City to add 850 hybrid buses

Give us your hybrids

New York City awarded Daimler with a contract for 850 new hybrid buses. The Orion VII Next Generation diesel-electric hybrid transit buses, powered by BAE Systems' Hybri Drive® diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, will be delivered by 2010.

Likewise, the city of Ottawa also ordered 202 buses.

According to Daimler, "Compared to standard diesel propulsion, these hybrid buses deliver up to 30 percent better fuel economy while greatly reducing emissions: 90 percent less particulate matter, 40 percent less NOx and 30 percent fewer greenhouse gases. Drivers and riders enjoy a quieter, cleaner and smoother ride."

Interestingly, a number of these hybrid vehicles will utilize lithium-ion battery technology

Ener1 says its lithium batteries ready before 2009

"That the Lithium-ion battery is the Holy Grail is now a given"

Ener1 told Fox News yesterday that its lithium-ion batteries will be ready to be incorporated into hybrid cars, plug-in hybrid vehicles and pure electric vehicles by the end of 2008.

"Our batteries have already been tested by the United States Advanced Battery Consortium, which is General Motors, Ford and Chrysler," Charles Gassenheimer, chairman of Ener1, Inc. told viewers of the Fox morning broadcast "CEO Corner." "We are the only battery company today using this Lithium-ion technology, which has met or exceeded all of the Big Three's requirements, especially and most importantly best-in-class in safety."

Interestingly, Mr. Gassenheimer also claimed that NiMH batteries simply are not, will not, every really be cost-effective, whereas lithium will be incredibly cost-effective.

Maybe it was the battery that really did kill (stall) the electric car?

Toshiba wants a chunk of the hybrid market

A future hybrid vehicle battery

In March 2008, Toshiba will launch the SCiB, or Super Charge ion Battery, that can recharge to 90 percent in less than 5 minutes. According to Toshiba the battery will last more than 10 years, even under the harshest conditions. Toshiba is planning on selling these batteries for use in hybrid cars and, eventually, electric vehicles.

The Chevy Volt takes another baby step towards reality

Enough batteries for 2 Volts

GM, in theory, now has the ability to develop two fully operational Chevy Volt prototypes, as that is now how many batteries GM currently has in its possession. Recently, Compact Power delivered its 2nd battery to GM. A123Systems should soon be delivering its first battery to GM as well.

At the LA Auto Show, Tony Posawatz, vehicle line director for the Volt and the E Flex Drive, told me that GM would have a few fully functional Volts by the end of the first quarter of 2008. However, in a separate interview, Denise Gray, director of battery technology, confirmed that such a date would be difficult to achieve, but that her team was committed to making it happen. Finish....

Epoch - The Holy Grail of Lithium?

Valence's Epoch battery

"Branded Epoch™, Valence believes its new generation of phosphate-based lithium-ion battery systems will move the electric vehicle industry one step closer to the Holy Grail – finding a battery solution that is safe, intelligent, lasts longer and weighs less than outdated technologies being used today. Epoch batteries are equipped with an advanced management system that will monitor and adjust cell performance so battery packs will always operate at their optimum performance capacity. Epoch batteries present a safe, powerful and reliable energy solution designed to be low maintenance, cost competitive and environmentally friendly."

Obviously, there are other important issues to battery success, such as cost. Additionally, press releases often are used more as a financing tool, rather than a sales tool. Nonetheless, as the race to the next generation of batteries continues, it is only inevitable before significantly better and cheaper batteries power next generation hybrid cars, plug-in vehicles, electric cars and even fuel cell vehicles.

Is the Chevy Volt "miles ahead" of the Prius?

This Prius by Hybrids-Plus achieves more than 100 mpg, today

I just finished reading David Kiley's BW article, GM's Plug-In Push, which opens, "General Motors is developing a plug-in hybrid technology for its Chevy Volt that is miles ahead of Toyota and Honda."

Really?

I heard the same such sentiment several months ago regarding GM's hybrid vehicles, which many have called more advanced and more sophisticated than Toyota's hybrids such as the Prius. Perhaps, but still I have asked, what are the costs of GM's technology, will it be sold in a package that consumers want at a price they are willing to pay? (Finish)