batteries


REPORT: Panasonic to follow the Tesla model of laptop batteries in cars

While the lithium ion battery technology that everyone expects to be at the heart of the upcoming generation of electric vehicles was initially used in consumer electronics devices, only one company so far has committed to using laptop-style cells. Tesla Motors builds a battery pack for the Roadster that consists of 6,831 cells of the type used in portable computers. Virtually every battery maker developing lithium ion for automotive applications is creating larger format cells that have what is referred to as a prismatic (flat rectangular) ... Read more →

Detroit 2009: GM will build Volt battery packs with LG Chem in Michigan Sam Abuelsamid

One of the big remaining technical questions for General Motors' Chevrolet Volt has been who the automaker will tap to supply the batteries. LG Chem and A123 Systems are the two companies that have ...

Warren Buffet recharges his batteries with investment in BYD Jonathon Ramsey

Chinese battery manufacturer BYD can now be mentioned in the same breath as Goldman Sachs: both have recently been given the blue-chip imprimatur by U.S. billionaire investor Warren Buffet. The ...

Toyota to build hybrid batteries in North America Jonathon Ramsey

Even with the $5,000 difference between the Prius and non-hybrid Toyotas, there was a time when Toyota lost money on the car. Even when the car entered the black, and even though they halved the cost ...

Ford's Mark Fields calls plug-in hybrids a "national priority" Jeremy Korzeniewski

In these days of nearly nonexistent profits for every one of Detroit's Big Three automakers, R&D funds must be allocated very carefully. In contrast, Japanese manufacturers such as Toyota and ...

Daimler gets serious about R&D, will increase spending to $21 billion by 2010 1 year ago on Autoblog

Click on the image to view high-res shots of the Mercedes F700 concept Massive amounts of money are being spent in the alternative energy sector of the automotive industry. Last year, Daimler spent $6 billion in research and development and another $2.7 billion on environmental protection. Expect ...

President Bush eases up on auto industry in State of the Union address 1 year ago on Autoblog

We'll be honest. We didn't watch President Bush's State of the Union address last night, the final one of his second presidential term. Our disinterest can probably best be measured by the fact that the address being broadcast in high definition was the only draw for us, which got us to watch for ...

Toyota delays introduction of Li-ion batteries for Prius 2 years ago on Autoblog

When talking about the (hopefully coming in 2010) Chevy Volt, Bob Lutz repeatedly said he was waiting on battery makers to provide GM with battery packs that were up to the challenge, seeing as the show car relies on technology that doesn't exist. GM isn't the only maker with battery issues -- ...

Autoblog Podcast #65 2 years ago on Autoblog

We're punchy for this one (just check out our outtakes at the end, even better than last time!). We start off with a lively debate over Hyundai's rumored full-size RWD truck on the BH platform and whether it will be good or bad. No consenus was reached, but it will be exciting to see if Hyundai can ...

Toyota's Prius in Europe gets a button we don't 3 years ago on Autoblog

Ever stare at that spot on your dash that has a piece of plastic where a button should be? Ever wonder what that button would do if it were installed? More and more Prius owners are finding out that that empty spot on their dashes is occupied on Euro-spec Prius models by a button that switches the ...

Mazda RX-9 features Mighty Morphin' tire technology and energy absorbent skin 3 years ago on Autoblog

The Mazda RX-9 is an advanced concept that came out on top in this year’s Michelin Design Challenge. It’s a hybrid featuring a 2.5L V6 and wafer-thin electric motor, but features a couple of technologies not seen before in the race for higher fuel mileage. James Owen Design is the ...

Nissan goes 180 degrees to develop own hybrid technology 3 years ago on Autoblog

Nissan, like the German automakers, initially was hesitant to develop hybrid vehicles. But seeing Toyota's and Honda’s success in the fast-growing segment, Japan’s second largest automaker tentatively took steps to the ‘green’ side by licensing parts from Toyota for the ...

Plug-in push on for hybrids 3 years ago on Autoblog

Hybrid automakers such as Toyota, Honda, and Ford spent millions educating consumers that hybrid vehicles don't need to be plugged to an outlet to be charged. But among a growing number of hybrid enthusiasts, there is a burgeoning movement for such technology to be incorporated in future hybrid ...






Autoblog Podcast #153: With Phil Berg

Phil Berg puts his reputation on the line and hangs with the podcast crew.

 
 

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