In Quest for Better Battery, Keep an Ion Nationalism-A123 Systems Co's Li Ion & GM

hb06 · 04-13-2007, 08:17 PM

"One beneficiary of this battery war is a small Watertown, Mass., start-up called A123 Systems, which has developed a small pack of lithium-ion batteries that can be retrofitted into the spare-tire well of a Toyota Prius. The batteries turn the Prius into a "plug-in hybrid," which can be recharged through an electrical outlet and run almost exclusively on electricity in the first 40 miles of driving."

"This is the kind of technology GM wants to use, to develop, among other future vehicles, a Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid SUV and a real-world version of the Chevrolet Volt show car the company has been promoting to demonstrate its seriousness about clean technology."

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117...ff_main_tff_top

drsurd · 05-01-2007, 08:10 PM

[quote]
" A123 Systems, which has developed a small pack of lithium-ion batteries that can be retrofitted into the spare-tire well of a Toyota Prius. The batteries turn the Prius into a "plug-in hybrid," which can be recharged through an electrical outlet and run almost exclusively on electricity in the first 40 miles of driving."

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/05/a1...s_to_.html#more
A123 news on PHEV's.

Plug in's coming sooner rather than later, I hope. Can't wait.
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A123Systems to Market PHEV Conversion Packs in 2008
1 May 2007
Lithium-ion battery manufacturer A123Systems intends to begin marketing battery packs in 2008 for third-party conversion of hybrids to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), according to A123Systems CEO David Vieau. Vieau made the remarks in testimony before the US Senate Committee On Finance Subcommittee On Energy, Natural Resources, And Infrastructure.

A123Systems has been working closely with Hymotion on the plug-in conversion systems. Recently, the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) awarded the companies a contract to convert 10 Prius hybrids to PHEVs. (Earlier post.)

The Hymotion PHEV module requires minimal modification to the stock vehicle. All necessary components and safety features are integrated and contained within the module, including: batteries, power electronics, crash sensors, power electronics, charger, battery management system, safety sensors and manual-electric interlock. The system does not require removal of the OEM battery pack and can be installed in less than 2 hours, according to the companies.

After focusing on fleet testing this year, A123systems intends to market the PHEV conversion modules starting in 2008.

It will be certified to meet all applicable new car test standards and will be installed by trained mechanics in less than 2 hours, without any changes to the underlying electronics, mechanics or materially useable space of the production hybrid other than the installation of the plug in the rear bumper.

The applicable market in the US for standard production hybrids will be approaching 1 million through the course of this year. With almost two dozen hybrid models expected by the end of 2008, there will be 5 million standard hybrids on the road by 2010. At an initial 40 mile module installed price of $10,000 supported with a $3,500 tax credit, the payback period for a fleet owner with $3.00/gallon gas is 2.5 years, against an expected life of 10 or more years. The payback period for the average commuter driving 11,000 miles per year would be 5.5 years. These calculations place no value on the net reduction of approximately 100 tons of carbon dioxide and other emissions over the life of the vehicle and take no account of the cost reductions which could accrue from additional materials research and increasing production volumes.

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04-13-2007, 08:17 PM	#1
hb06 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 480 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	"One beneficiary of this battery war is a small Watertown, Mass., start-up called A123 Systems, which has developed a small pack of lithium-ion batteries that can be retrofitted into the spare-tire well of a Toyota Prius. The batteries turn the Prius into a "plug-in hybrid," which can be recharged through an electrical outlet and run almost exclusively on electricity in the first 40 miles of driving." "This is the kind of technology GM wants to use, to develop, among other future vehicles, a Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid SUV and a real-world version of the Chevrolet Volt show car the company has been promoting to demonstrate its seriousness about clean technology." http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117...ff_main_tff_top

05-01-2007, 08:10 PM	#2
drsurd Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 20 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	[quote] " A123 Systems, which has developed a small pack of lithium-ion batteries that can be retrofitted into the spare-tire well of a Toyota Prius. The batteries turn the Prius into a "plug-in hybrid," which can be recharged through an electrical outlet and run almost exclusively on electricity in the first 40 miles of driving." http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/05/a1...s_to_.html#more A123 news on PHEV's. Plug in's coming sooner rather than later, I hope. Can't wait. Home Topics Monthly Archives Resources A123Systems to Market PHEV Conversion Packs in 2008 1 May 2007 Lithium-ion battery manufacturer A123Systems intends to begin marketing battery packs in 2008 for third-party conversion of hybrids to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), according to A123Systems CEO David Vieau. Vieau made the remarks in testimony before the US Senate Committee On Finance Subcommittee On Energy, Natural Resources, And Infrastructure. A123Systems has been working closely with Hymotion on the plug-in conversion systems. Recently, the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) awarded the companies a contract to convert 10 Prius hybrids to PHEVs. (Earlier post.) The Hymotion PHEV module requires minimal modification to the stock vehicle. All necessary components and safety features are integrated and contained within the module, including: batteries, power electronics, crash sensors, power electronics, charger, battery management system, safety sensors and manual-electric interlock. The system does not require removal of the OEM battery pack and can be installed in less than 2 hours, according to the companies. After focusing on fleet testing this year, A123systems intends to market the PHEV conversion modules starting in 2008. It will be certified to meet all applicable new car test standards and will be installed by trained mechanics in less than 2 hours, without any changes to the underlying electronics, mechanics or materially useable space of the production hybrid other than the installation of the plug in the rear bumper. The applicable market in the US for standard production hybrids will be approaching 1 million through the course of this year. With almost two dozen hybrid models expected by the end of 2008, there will be 5 million standard hybrids on the road by 2010. At an initial 40 mile module installed price of $10,000 supported with a $3,500 tax credit, the payback period for a fleet owner with $3.00/gallon gas is 2.5 years, against an expected life of 10 or more years. The payback period for the average commuter driving 11,000 miles per year would be 5.5 years. These calculations place no value on the net reduction of approximately 100 tons of carbon dioxide and other emissions over the life of the vehicle and take no account of the cost reductions which could accrue from additional materials research and increasing production volumes.