TO BUILD A BETTER BATTERY

Demand for vehicles that meet climate change exigencies and high mileage expectations and change personal transportation are only a better battery away. When will that happen? Minoru Shinohara, technology division senior vice president, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.: "The early phase will begin in 2010 as many companies intend to introduce electric vehicles…It's the starting point, and there will be very tough competition."

Does this mean a completely emissions-free vehicle is coming? Perry Stern, senior editor, MSN Autos: "Getting 90 percent of the way isn't that expensive…The closer you get to 100 percent, the more expensive you get. The last 5 percent is exponentially expensive."

For everything you ever wanted to know about electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), visit Marc Geller's Plugs and Cars.

Schematic of a lithium ion battery, on which all hopes currently ride. (click to enlarge)

Better batteries mean better car
Roger Cheng, February 16, 2008 (Dow Jones Newswires via Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

WHO
Minoru Shinohara, technology division senior vice president, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.; General Motors Corp. (GMC); Altairnano (Bob Goebel, vice president)

WHAT
The lithium ion battery is nearly ready for mass production. Nissan, GMC and other major carmakers are readying electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) for production. Altairnano is preparing a next-generation lithium battery.


Nissan promises the all-electric Mixim in or around 2010. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
- In 2006, overheating of lithium ion batteries in laptops caused problems and a recall, leading to questions about their safety.
- EVs and/or PHEVs are predicted to be in mass markets by 2010, when battery technology reaches maturity.
- Nissan expects to have an all-electric vehicle by 2010, with mass production by 2012.

WHERE
- Lithium ion batteries are used in a variety of small devices: notebook/laptop computers, digital media players, etc.
- Nickel metal hydride batteries are currently used in gasoline hybrids.

GM promises the Volt, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, by 2010. (click to enlarge)

WHY
- Lithium ion batteries are said to hold a stronger charge and last longer than more developed nickel metal hydride batteries. Test vehicles with lithium ion batteries performed twice as well as those with nickel metal hydride batteries.
- Objections to EVs are based on undeserved reputations for inconveniently limited range and poor speed/acceleration.
- The rise of demand for eco-friendly vehicles, as demonstrated by purchases of gasoline hybrid vehicles, has never been greater.
- GMC is already advertising its Volt. GM says it will have 40+ mile all-electric range.
- Altairnano’s lithium titanate battery replaces graphite with nano titanate particles which makes the battery more stable but cuts its charge capacity. The battery did a 40-year charge-recharge cycle equivalency test last fall.
- Nissan will use a manganese-based material instead of graphite and will encase its lithium ion battery in aluminum and lamination to control overheating without losing charge.
- Some experts see Honda Motor Co. Ltd.’s lithium ion battery/hydrogen fuel cell FCX Clarity as nearly emissions free but far from ready for market. For one thing, it requires a whole new charging infrastructure.

The promise of the PHEV is real - when the battery is real. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Goebel, Altairnano: "In our case, we broaden the safety field…"
- Shinohara, Nissan: "We're confident about the safety…"