Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Officially Official: GM lithium ion battery plant goes to Brownstown Twp, MI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/officially-official-gm-lithium-ion-battery-plant-goes-to-brown/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/officially-official-gm-lithium-ion-battery-plant-goes-to-brown/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/13/officially-official-gm-lithium-ion-battery-plant-goes-to-brown/#commentsFiled under: , ,



As was speculated several weeks ago, General Motors announced this morning that it will build a factory to manufacture lithium ion battery packs in Brownstown Township south of Detroit. The plant will produce the packs for the Chevrolet Volt and other upcoming vehicles using the Voltec powertrain. It will not, however, build the packs for the Buick plug-in hybrid crossover that debuts in 2011. Those will be built in a separate facility by LG Chem subsidiary Compact Power Inc.

From the Brownstown plant, GM will truck the batteries 20 miles up the road to the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant for installation.

The 160,000 square foot facility will initially employ about 100 people in a facility located in an existing building just off I-75. GM will spend about $43 million from the battery grants that were announced last week as part of the stimulus package. Some equipment has already been installed and initial pilot production should start as soon as the first quarter of 2010, and while some equipment is new, other equipment is being transferred from other GM facilities.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Officially Official: GM lithium ion battery plant goes to Brownstown Twp, MI

Officially Official: GM lithium ion battery plant goes to Brownstown Twp, MI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevroletchevrolet voltChevroletVoltchevychevy voltChevyVoltgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgm battery plantGmBatteryPlantlithium ionlithium ion batterieslithium-ionLithiumIonLithiumIonBatteriesThu, 13 Aug 2009 11:41:00 EST<![CDATA[New lithium-ion process could lead to super fast charging, but still needs BIG pipe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/new-lithium-ion-process-could-lead-to-super-fast-charging-still/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/new-lithium-ion-process-could-lead-to-super-fast-charging-still/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/12/new-lithium-ion-process-could-lead-to-super-fast-charging-still/#commentsResearchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have been researching where the bottlenecks are inside lithium-ion batteries that limit charging and discharging rates, and they've learned some interesting things. Lithium iron phosphate chemistry is particularly promising in terms of high charge and discharge rates. Researchers found that some new processes for manufacturing the lithium phosphate coating on lithium iron phosphate crystals could provide better access to the lithium ions, allowing them to move around more readily.

This all sounds similar to the premise behind the lithium iron phosphate batteries produced by A123 Systems and the lithium titanate cells produced by Altairnano. The increased surface area of material allows more ions and electrons to move in and out without heating up as much as traditional lithium cobalt oxide cells. The result is that cells made with these materials can be charged at very high rates without degrading the charge capacity over time. Imagine charging your electric vehicle in two minutes rather than 12 hours and you can understand the significance of this research.

The bigger issue remains the power needed to actually charge an automotive sized battery pack in a few minutes. A five-minute charge would require 180 kW or more, which is not something that's available at home or any existing charging stations.

[Source: ars technica]

New lithium-ion process could lead to super fast charging, but still needs BIG pipe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobloggreenlithiumlithium ionlithium ion batterieslithium iron phosphatelithium iron phosphate lifepo4lithium iron-phosphate batterylithium-ionLithiumIonLithiumIonBatteriesLithiumIron-phosphateBatteryLithiumIronPhosphateLithiumIronPhosphateLifepo4massachusetts institute of technologyMassachusettsInstituteOfTechnologymitThu, 12 Mar 2009 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Preview: 204-hp lithium battery-powered MINI E revealed!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/18/la-preview-204-hp-lithium-battery-powered-mini-e-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/18/la-preview-204-hp-lithium-battery-powered-mini-e-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/18/la-preview-204-hp-lithium-battery-powered-mini-e-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the MINI E

BMW has finally unleashed some information and photos of the much anticipated MINI E set to debut next month at the LA Auto Show. For those who haven't been paying attention, late last spring BMW announced plans to build and lease a fleet of 500 battery powered MINIs starting sometime in 2009. The front wheels of the MINI E receive torque through a single speed gearbox from a 204 hp, 162 lb-ft electric motor. Those numbers are rather unusual for an electric drive system which usually has much more torque. Nonetheless, the MINI E can hustle to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and, according to BMW, can cover about 150 miles on a full charge of its lithium ion battery pack.

Anyone who has driven a MINI knows that the back seat is for small kids or occasional use only. For the purposes of this electric version, that is no longer an issue as that area has been completely consumed by the battery pack. The pack itself has a capacity of 35 kWh and judging by the description the company has used a similar set up to the Tesla Roadster. Instead of larger cells specifically designed for automotive applications, this pack uses 5,088 cells arranged in 48 modules. As always, charging time depends on the current and voltage of the outlet the car is plugged into. MINI will be supplying a high current charging station with the cars that can be installed in the driver's garage to facilitate quicker charges, providing a full charge in 2.5 hours. The regenerative braking system can provide three-quarters of the braking requirements when running in urban stop and go driving. Aside from the battery pack replacing the rear seat and the yellow trim, the main change inside is a battery meter that replaces the tachometer in front of the driver. BMW will be leasing the 500 cars to commercial and private customers in California, New York and New Jersey starting early next year. They may eventually expand the program to Europe as well.

Gallery: MINI E


[Source: MINI]

Continue reading LA Preview: 204-hp lithium battery-powered MINI E revealed!

LA Preview: 204-hp lithium battery-powered MINI E revealed! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>la auto showla auto show 2008la autoshowLaAutoShowLaAutoShow2008lithiumlithium ionlithium ion batterieslithium-ionLithiumIonLithiumIonBatteriesmini emini evMiniEMiniEvSat, 18 Oct 2008 12:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Warren Buffet recharges his batteries with investment in BYD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/warren-buffet-recharges-his-batteries-with-investment-in-byd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/warren-buffet-recharges-his-batteries-with-investment-in-byd/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/01/warren-buffet-recharges-his-batteries-with-investment-in-byd/#commentsFiled under: , ,



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 Oracle of Omaha's MidAmerican Energy Holdings has bought a 10-percent stake in BYD for $230 million.

BYD has big plans for its lithium-ion battery work and its automotive division. The company's automaking arm builds - or clones, depending on your viewpoint - cars that it intends to eventually export around the world, including America. Its ultimate aim is create its own cars that run on its own batteries, like the e6. Assuming that BYD gets the batteries to work, and then can sell them to other automakers, the company will have a huge competitive advantage. If it can sell its cars, that is.

Buffett's investment will help BYD achieve that, and should help Buffett make even more money. BYD says another planned use of that $230 million is to accelerate its move into the U.S. market, which was planned for 2010. When they finally do arrive, we'll see if Buffett has as much faith in their vehicles as he does in their batteries.

[Source: IHT]

Warren Buffet recharges his batteries with investment in BYD originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbydchinaelectricelectric carelectric carsElectricCarElectricCarslithium ionlithium ion batteriesLithiumIonLithiumIonBatterieswarren buffettWarrenBuffettWed, 01 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: 2011 Chevy Volt being driven!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/22/video-2011-chevy-volt-being-driven/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/22/video-2011-chevy-volt-being-driven/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/22/video-2011-chevy-volt-being-driven/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above to view video after the jump

GM celebrated its 100th anniversary by unleashing the production 2011 Chevy Volt to the world. It was a great way to show that the General is working hard on innovative transportation to kick off its next 100 years, but we're still two years and a month away from being able to actually buy a Volt. Until that time, we're forced to gather intelligence as it becomes available without being able to get behind the wheel.

Thanks to the Volt-o-files over at GM-Volt.com, we now know what the Volt looks like when it's traveling on the open road. The video after the jump shows the Volt strolling around GM's closed course proving grounds in Milford, Michigan. The two-minute clip reveals very little of the Volt's capabilities because it's chugging along at a leisurely pace, and the Coldplay soundtrack hides the Volt's audio, which should be limited to rolling tires and an electric motor. You do, however, get to see the Volt on the road, as well as some functional views of the Volt's interior. Hey, we'll take what we can get.

Gallery: 2011 Chevy Volt - Live Reveal


[Source: Autoblog Green]

Continue reading VIDEO: 2011 Chevy Volt being driven!

VIDEO: 2011 Chevy Volt being driven! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevy volt2011ChevyVoltChevy voltChevyVoltelectric vehicleElectricVehiclegmhybridlithium ion batteriesLithiumIonBatteriesvolt on the roadVoltOnTheRoadMon, 22 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan and NEC to work on new batteries together]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/21/nissan-and-nec-to-work-on-new-batteries-together/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/21/nissan-and-nec-to-work-on-new-batteries-together/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/21/nissan-and-nec-to-work-on-new-batteries-together/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Just-Auto is reporting that Nissan has approached electronics giant NEC to work on new lithium-ion batteries together. This would certainly help Nissan in its goal to add more hybrid and fuel cell cars, as well as an all-electric within three years.

As you may recall, Nissan has been borrowing its hybrid technology from Toyota and announced that it would like to do an in-house hybrid in the near future. Next came the announcement that a plug-in would be on its way in the next three years. This partnership between NEC and Nissan would cover the development, production and marketing of the batteries. It looks like a joint venture factory will also open sometime in 2010. In the rush to take advantage of new breakthroughs in battery technology, cozying up to NEC seems like a particularly shrewd move for this Japanese automaker.

[Source: Just-Auto, sub req]

Nissan and NEC to work on new batteries together originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobloggreenelectric carElectricCarhybridlithium ion batteriesLithiumIonBatteriesNECThu, 21 Dec 2006 18:33:00 EST