Hitachi to Deliver Samples of World's Highest-Output Automotive Lithium-Ion Battery

Hitachi Ltd., a leading global manufacturer of electronics, and Hitachi Vehicle Energy Ltd., a major developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, have jointly developed a lithium-ion battery with a power density of 4,500 watts per kilogram (W/kg). This is the highest output battery in the world and 1.7 times higher than Hatachi's conventional mass-produced automotive lithium-ion battery. The companies announced May 19, 2009, that they will start shipping sample batteries in the fall to domestic and overseas automobile manufacturers.

The volume and weight of a lithium-ion battery is about half that of a nickel-metal hydride battery, and about a third that of a lead acid battery with the same energy density. Thanks to their small and lightweight design, it is expected that lithium-ion batteries will be widely used in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles.

To reduce internal electrical resistance and achieve high output, the new battery incorporates several advanced technologies: (1) new manganese base material for positive electrodes, (2) thinner and larger surface electrodes, and (3) a battery structure enabling efficient power collection and the shortest power distribution from the electrodes. As a result, the power density of this battery far exceeds that of the mass-produced batteries currently being delivered, which has a 2,600 W/kg power density. The Hitachi Group developed and mass-produced the world's first automotive lithium-ion batteries in 2000.

Hitachi develops automotive lithium-ion battery having the world's highest output; sampling set to start in the fall
http://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/090519a.html

Posted: 2009/08/15 06:00:15 AM

TAG Energy , Manufacturing industry , Transportation