1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Powergenix

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by sdtundra, Jan 21, 2009.

  1. sdtundra

    sdtundra Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2008
    1,314
    193
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Today while I was taking a break and eating lunch at Liberty Station across from the US Navy Submarine base I saw a white Prius with "POWERGENIX.COM HYBRID 2.0" on the side with some graphics.
    [​IMG]

    Upon further reading on their site, their main facility is actually right next to my high school in the business park.



    PowerGenix :: The Next Generation Battery

    "Nickel-zinc technology offers more energy density than the nickel metal hydride batteries being used in HEV's today, providing for up to a 40% smaller and lighter battery"
     
    #1 sdtundra, Jan 21, 2009
  2. gmalis1

    gmalis1 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2008
    134
    14
    1
    Location:
    Northwest 'burbs, Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Great, but what is the "life" of the batteries? How do they perform in weather like the recent subzero temps we had here in the Midwest?

    It's always cool to see new technology...but it needs to be time tested before Toyota will jump on board.
     
    #2 gmalis1, Jan 22, 2009
  3. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2008
    2,760
    322
    3
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    This could be of value:
    "Nickel-zinc battery solutions for an HEV are less expensive than nickel metal hydride because you need 35+% less cells, and the materials used in a nickel-zinc battery are less expensive than those used in a nickel metal hydride battery.
    Expensive safety power control systems and manufacturing processes required by lithium-ion batteries are not necessary for a nickel-zinc battery, making a nickel-zinc about 1/2 the cost per watt hour of a lithium-ion battery." PowerGenix :: The Next Generation Battery

    This could be a good route to go for entry-level economy cars.
    (note: "economy car" refers to the cost of the car; not the fuel cost)
     
    #3 Rybold, Jan 22, 2009
  4. miscrms

    miscrms Plug Envious Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2007
    2,076
    523
    5
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Sounds interesting.
     
    #4 miscrms, Jan 23, 2009
  5. Sacto1549

    Sacto1549 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2008
    119
    17
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, CA USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Now, if we can just convince Honda to take advantage of nickel-zinc technology. That could mean either longer range for the Insight (since we can run in battery-only mode for a longer period of time) if they a nickel-zinc battery with the same weight as the new Insight battery pack) or reduce the weight by over 100 pounds (since Honda can use a smaller-sized battery pack to generate the same power as the current NiMH battery pack).

    It also means a Powergenix battery pack would make it possible for a Honda Fit IMA hybrid, since the battery "deadweight" would be relatively low. :)
     
    #5 Sacto1549, Jan 26, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)