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[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[Whoa, says Toyota. Plug-ins won't be <em>that</em> good]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/whoa-says-toyota-plug-ins-wont-be-em-that-em-good/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/whoa-says-toyota-plug-ins-wont-be-em-that-em-good/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/whoa-says-toyota-plug-ins-wont-be-em-that-em-good/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



If you read our post yesterday that talked about a lithium Ion-powered plug-in Prius for 2010, thoughts of 100 mpg cars may have danced in your head. Well, take it easy, because the think tank over at Toyota doesn't want you to get your hopes too high. Toyota Advanced Technology manager Bill Reinert spoke in Washington yesterday at a plug-in conference and said that real-world driving conditions will make 100 mpg unattainable for many drivers. While plugging in more powerful batteries will give drivers a full battery and greater EV range, hard acceleration could limit electric-only driving to well under 40 miles.

While it's nice of Toyota to give a plug-in reality check to an efficiency-hungry public, we don't think this message is going to get through to the masses. Besides, if Toyota's next-gen hybrids can reach anything close to 100 mpg, we think shoppers of fuel-efficient vehicles will be too busy foaming at the mouth to even notice.

[Source: Automotive News, subs req'd]

Whoa, says Toyota. Plug-ins won't be that good originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hybridlithiumplug-in hybridPlug-inHybridToyota PriusToyotaPriusThu, 12 Jun 2008 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota delays next-gen lithium-ion Prius]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/10/toyota-delays-next-gen-lithium-ion-prius/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/10/toyota-delays-next-gen-lithium-ion-prius/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/10/toyota-delays-next-gen-lithium-ion-prius/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Right now, it seems we're in the calm before the hybrid storm due to be unleashed shortly by automakers the world over. GM may have taken nearly a decade longer than Toyota to get into the game, but now it's ready to talk the talk with its two-mode hybrid system. The bigger development is the use of plug-ins with lithium-ion power, which might hit the market as early as 2009. Toyota was planning on using lithium batteries in the next-gen Prius as soon as late 2008, but due to safety concerns the more powerful and efficient battery tech won't arrive in a Toyota until 2011. As we reported earlier, the next generation Prius will now bow in early 2009, but with a nickel-hydride battery pack.

Toyota's lithium battery of choice uses cobalt oxide, much like the problematic batteries that were catching fire in Sony laptops. GM's iron phosphate-based battery is said to be more chemically stable. Toyota is rumored to have also delayed plans for a hybrid Tundra, and the company's plan to build 600,000 hybrids per year by 2010 now appears to be in doubt. Its green status with the public and media has played a large role in the company's sales surge, but the above delays may give the rest of the world's automakers some room to react.

[Source: The Wall Street Journal via Winding Road]

Toyota delays next-gen lithium-ion Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Aug 2007 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GMHybridLithiumPriusToyotaTwo-modeFri, 10 Aug 2007 09:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota delays introduction of Li-ion batteries for Prius]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/31/toyota-delays-introduction-of-li-ion-batteries-for-prius/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/31/toyota-delays-introduction-of-li-ion-batteries-for-prius/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/31/toyota-delays-introduction-of-li-ion-batteries-for-prius/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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 -- Toyota has pushed back the introduction of lithium ion batteries in the next generation Prius, saying that they're not just not ready to be put in cars because of safety issues. There are independent companies that are installing li-ion battery packs into cars and getting stunning results. Toyota, though, in light of corporate liabilities and its recall record of late, simply can't afford to risk what would be a huge black eye if the next Prius suffered from a hasty misstep.

[Source: Winding Road]

Toyota delays introduction of Li-ion batteries for Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 May 2007 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesionlithiumpriustoyotaThu, 31 May 2007 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Detroit Auto Show: Chevrolet Volt Concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/07/detroit-auto-show-chevrolet-volt-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/07/detroit-auto-show-chevrolet-volt-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/07/detroit-auto-show-chevrolet-volt-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


click on the image above to view AutoblogGreen's high-resolution gallery

GM's much-rumored electric vehicle introduction for the North American International Auto Show has indeed been revealed to be the Chevrolet Volt. Built on a new platform referred to as E-flex, the cute coupe spins the front wheels via a 161 HP electric motor and a lithium-ion storage pack with 16 kWh of capacity (a piece of technology that, by GM's own admission, is not yet ready for prime time). An Ecotec-branded turbocharged 71 HP three-banger sits under the hood to spin a 53 kW generator, which provides one method by which to charge the pack; the other consists of a pair of plugs (one on either side) that facilitate charging via a standard 110V connection. Six hours or so of charge time at home is good for 40 miles of range, after which the IE kicks in at a steady 1800 RPM to feed the packs. GM calls it an EV with "range extending capability", but to our eyes, it sure looks like a series hybrid. It also has us asking why a small diesel wasn't employed, as such an engine can provide wonderful efficiency when used at a steady speed and load (as former GM division Electromotive has proven with its locomotives over the past several decades).

AutoblogGreen has additional technical detail and analysis. Click here for a full gallery of pictures!

Check out all the debuts and galleries from the Detroit Auto Show here.

Detroit Auto Show: Chevrolet Volt Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Jan 2007 00:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevrolet, voltChevrolet,Voltecotecelectricevhybridionlithlith-ionlithiumlithium ionseriesturbochargedSun, 07 Jan 2007 00:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Time waster of the day: Stupid-fast RC car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/time-waster-of-the-day-stupid-fast-rc-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/time-waster-of-the-day-stupid-fast-rc-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/29/time-waster-of-the-day-stupid-fast-rc-car/#commentsFiled under: ,

For those of you who haven't kept up with radio-controlled car technology since the days of the original RC10 and Tamiya Grasshopper, well, things have changed just a bit. Thanks to lithium-polymer (LiPo) batteries and inexpensive brushless DC motors, RC enthusiasts now have access to more power than we could dream about just a few years ago.

The above video shows a Team Losi Mini-T 1:18-scale RC truck ripping around on a sand dune. With the stock motor, this would be less entertaining than watching paint dry, but there's nothing like increasing the power output by an order of magnitude to increase the fun factor. While something like this is by no means the fastest RC car in the world (despite the claim of the video's editor, that record belongs to Nic Case at over 160 MPH), it's probably capable of 60+ MPH like this author's Castle Creations-powered RC18T.

Why should automotive enthusiasts care? Well, for one, playing with RC cars will put a grin on nearly anyone's face, and provides a pleasant distraction when things aren't going well in the 1:1 world. But more importantly, the same sort of technology that gives us insanely fast toys can also be expected to brighten gearheads' days if the internal combustion engine gives way to electric motors as the power source of choice for future vehicles.

[Source: Transport Trends]

Time waster of the day: Stupid-fast RC car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Aug 2006 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brushlesscastle creationselectricelectric motorlipolithiumlithium ionlosiradio controlradio controlledRadioControlrcteam associatedTue, 29 Aug 2006 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Jerry Flint takes on the issue of plug-in hybrids]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/30/jerry-flint-takes-on-the-issue-of-plug-in-hybrids/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/30/jerry-flint-takes-on-the-issue-of-plug-in-hybrids/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/30/jerry-flint-takes-on-the-issue-of-plug-in-hybrids/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The lovable curmudgeon Jerry Flint directs his keen analytical eye towards plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and why the market shouldn't expect them any time soon. The concern seems to mainly revolve around battery technology, or rather the lack there of. If one simply looks at the current state-of-the-art in nickel metal hydride (NiMH) cells, it's an understandable source of skepticism, but one that is almost certainly on the verge of becoming an outdated argument. For proof of this, we simply need to take a look at two markets that have recently taken advantage of significant leaps forward in lithium battery technology - RC models, and power tools. We're guessing that Flint doesn't play with many toy cars or gut his bathroom on a regular basis, and that's understandable. But for anyone that has seen what modern lithium-polymer and lithium-manganese battery technology can do when combined with the latest in motor technology, it seems almost laughable to ignore the possible applications for PHEVs.

Certainly, there's a large difference between getting a Sawzall to cut through more walls per charge and somehow incorporating the same technology into an automobile, and Mr. Flint is technically correct when he says that PHEVs are "not now" viable. But give battery technology a few more years to mature, and we suspect that the anti-anything-new crowd will need to find some other reason to complain.

 [Source: Forbes.com]

Jerry Flint takes on the issue of plug-in hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 May 2006 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hevhybridlipolith-ionlithiumlithium polymerLithiumPolymerphevplug-inTue, 30 May 2006 19:58:00 EST