Autoblog

2012 Ford Focus EV to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery

Autoblog Staff — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:41:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Hatchback, Electric

Ford Focus EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the 2112 Ford Focus Electric debuts in late 2011, it and the Chevrolet Volt will have a common feature in addition to their LG Chem lithium polymer cells. Ford confirms that the Focus EV will employ a liquid-cooled battery pack with automatic thermal management, just like the Chevy.

Ford opted for active thermal management solution in order to help maximize the Focus EV's battery performance and lifespan. By protecting the battery from overheating, the system can help prevent the development of cracks in the electrodes. Those imperfections eventually reduce the pack's ability to hold a charge. Conversely, warming the cells when cold will improve the battery pack's winter performance. When the car is plugged in, the thermal management system will use grid power to precondition the battery before charging actually starts.

So far, Nissan and Mitsubishi are the only major EV manufacturers that are sticking with passive air cooling for plug-in vehicles. Nissan has committed to an eight-year warranty, but it remains unclear how well the battery will hold up over regular use in differing climates.

Gallery: ABG Quick Drive: Ford Focus EV mule

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2012 Ford Focus EV to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery

2012 Ford Focus EV to use liquid-cooled lithium-polymer battery originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Chem to build lithium ion cell factory in Holland, MI

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:14:00 EST

LG Chem has made it official. The South Korean manufacturer is moving forward with plans to start production of lithium ion cells in Michigan. LG Chem and its U.S. subsidiary, Compact Power Inc. (CPI), will spend $303 million to build the cell plant in Holland, on the west side of the state. By 2013, the facility figures to employ over 400 people. Groundbreaking will take place this summer, with the factory scheduled to be fully operational by 2012. At full production, the plant will have enough capacity to produce cells for 50,000 to 200,000 battery packs, depending on the configuration (E-REV vs PHEV).

LG Chem already has supply agreements in place with two major automakers, General Motors and Hyundai-Kia. Hyundai is using LG Chem cells and battery packs in the Korean-market Elantra hybrid, along with sister company Kia's Forte hybrid. Hyundai will launch the Sonata hybrid in the U.S. market later this year. General Motors uses LG Chem cells in a pack of its own design for the Chevrolet Volt. It'll also use the same cells in packs manufactured by CPI for an as-yet-unnamed plug-in hybrid vehicle based on the current two-mode system.

Along with the $700 million being invested by GM in assembly and systems manufacturing for the Volt in Michigan, this new LG Chem investment brings the total to over $1 billion. Much of the funding for the LG Chem plant will come from federal and state incentives, including a $151 million grant that CPI received last year as part of the stimulus bill. LG Chem will contribute matching funds to the program.

LG Chem joins A123 Systems and Johnson Controls-Saft (JCS) in manufacturing lithium ion batteries in Michigan. The JCS factory is also in Holland, while A123 is setting up shop closer to Detroit in Livonia. Check out the official press release after the jump.

[Source: LG Chem]

Continue reading LG Chem to build lithium ion cell factory in Holland, MI

LG Chem to build lithium ion cell factory in Holland, MI originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Kia Venga EV, sorry we missed you the first time around

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Hatchback, Kia, Electric

Kia Venga EV concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Apparently, we we missed at least one interesting machine from the recently concluded press days at the Geneva Motor Show. Kia showed off a battery electric version of its new Venga B-segment hatchback. Like the rest of Kia and Hyundai's hybrids and plug-in concepts either in production or recently shown, the Venga EV uses lithium polymer batteries, likely sourced from LG Chem. The battery pack is stored under the floorpan of the electric vehicle (EV).

The Venga EV contains 24 kilowatt-hours of battery capacity. The front wheels are driven by an 80-kilowatt motor packing a stout 206 pound-feet of torque. Kia says that the concept has about 112 miles of driving range and a 50-kW fast charge can provide an 80-percent recharge in as little as 20 minutes, while a full charge at normal power levels takes about eight hours. The rest of the details can be found in the press release after the break.

Gallery: Kia Venga EV

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Kia Venga EV, sorry we missed you the first time around

Geneva 2010: Kia Venga EV, sorry we missed you the first time around originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM

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 been supplying prototype battery packs for Volt development program. It has long been rumored that South Korea's LG Chem would be selected, and today CEO Rick Wagoner confirmed the selection. Surprisingly though, GM has decided it will take responsibility for actually building the complete packs. GM will also take full responsibility for all the battery management systems and power electronics.

The company will build a new factory in Michigan, but a specific site has yet to be announced, in part because negotiations are ongoing with state and local authorities on the usual incentives and approvals. LG Chem's US subsidiary, Compact Power of Troy, Michigan, has been building the prototype packs for the development vehicles and will continue to provide integration support and act as a liaison for the program.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Detroit 2009: GM will build Volt battery packs with LG Chem in Michigan

Detroit 2009: GM will build Volt battery packs with LG Chem in Michigan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM reported to have chosen Compact Power as Volt battery supplier

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Chevrolet, GM

2011 Chevrolet Volt

Ever since that cold day in January when the Chevrolet Volt concept rolled onto the stage at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, the single biggest question has been the battery. More specifically, could GM find a lithium ion battery that would provide 40 miles of range on a charge, last the life of the car and not drive the price into the stratosphere?

Although we still don't have any independent evidence that GM has achieved those goals, the company does claim to be meeting its targets. The first step on the path was evaluating more than two dozen battery suppliers in spring of 2007 followed by the awarding of two development contracts in June of last year. Although Bob Lutz acknowledged that one of those battery suppliers was in the lead last June and in August acknowledged that one had been selected to supply batteries for production, no official announcement had been made.

Reuters is now reporting that Korea's LG Chem and its US subsidiary Compact Power Inc, has won out over the team of Continental and A123 Systems. The official announcement from GM isn't expected until sometime in November. The hold up seems to be that GM and CPI are still negotiating the commercial details including how they will split warranty costs. This latter issue is expected to be a critical factor for the first generation Volt as no one has ever used batteries like this in a high volume automotive applications before.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt - Live Reveal

[Source: Reuters]

GM reported to have chosen Compact Power as Volt battery supplier originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: GM awards two battery contracts for the Volt!

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:20:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Green, Chevrolet, GM

Click the photo for a high-res gallery of Volt

GM Chairman Rick Wagoner announced that the company has awarded two advanced development contracts for battery systems to be used on the GM E-Flex platform. For those who have missed the news for the last six months, E-Flex is the electric propulsion system used in the Chevy Volt concept. GM is moving ahead with production engineering including building proper prototypes so they need real batteries.

Continental Automotive Systems and Compact Power Inc. will be supplying the integrated lithium ion battery systems to GM using cells from A123 Systems and LG Chem respectively. The press release is after the jump.

[Source: General Motors via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading BREAKING: GM awards two battery contracts for the Volt!

BREAKING: GM awards two battery contracts for the Volt! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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