|
11-09-2009
THE CAR BATTERY: FROM THE SHADOWS TO STARDOM
DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2009 – For decades, the automobile battery was an
essentially static technology, but it’s no longer being taken for
granted. Battery technology is now in a starring role in the development
of a new generation of electrified vehicles.
But today’s batteries are a far cry from the humble lead-acid battery
used for a century in the automobile. The 12-volt lead-acid battery used
in traditional automotive applications is rapidly giving way to
sophisticated, higher energy and power batteries as the automobile
industry shifts further toward electrification.
The advent of hybrid electric vehicles spawned a new generation of
batteries, making nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries the energy
storage technology of choice. The nickel used in these batteries is
lighter than lead, helping the battery deliver twice the power output
for the weight as lead-acid batteries, but the cost of Ni-MH batteries
is high – four times that of lead acid. Automakers already believe they
have tapped most of the potential of Ni-MH
technology and are moving rapidly toward Lithium-ion technology.
Lithium-ion batteries are commonplace in the world of consumer
electronics. They’re lighter and more energy dense than other types of
batteries, making them ideal for laptop computers, mobile phones and
other portable devices.
That makes lithium-ion technology even better for use in cars of the
future, right?
“At Ford, we believe lithium-ion batteries have incredible potential for
the next-generation of
electrified vehicle, and we’re already using lithium-ion technology in
test units for the battery
electric vehicles (BEVs) that are part of our new electrification
strategy,” said Ted Miller, senior manager, energy storage strategy and
research, Ford Motor Company. “But there are technical challenges we are
still addressing to make lithium-ion technology work in high-volume
automotive applications.”
According to Miller, intensive technical development work is underway in
the industry to adapt
lithium-ion technology from that used in cell phones today to the far
more robust requirements of
automobile batteries of the future. The work is promising, Miller says.
“There isn’t just one type of lithium-ion battery and several hold
promise for automotive use,” Miller explains. “That’s good because we
know that the variant of lithium-ion battery used in laptops and other
mobile devices is completely unacceptable for use in cars.”
That’s because automobile batteries have a much harder job than a laptop
or phone battery. Cars have to work in huge temperature extremes, stand
up to more shocks and vibrations and a much higher energy throughput
than consumer electronics goods. And an automobile is expected to have a
10-year lifespan, something most laptop or cell phone owners don’t
expect of those devices.
Intensive development work is underway to prove out lithium-ion
technology for the auto industry, and Ford is using its extensive
experience in BEV and hybrids to test the technology rigorously for its
starring role in high-volume electrified vehicles of the future. Ford
can already point to the robustness of its hybrid technology with the
Ford Escape Hybrid. In New York, some Escape Hybrid taxis have clocked
more than 300,000 miles of reliable service.
Ford and other manufacturers are focused on conquering the challenges of
lithium-ion for a long,
Ford Battery Electric Vehicle reliable life.
“There is a tremendous amount of effort happening in lithium-ion
technology for cars,” Miller said. “The battery industry is really
focused now on creating lithium-ion batteries specifically for cars and
this is going to result in a great new generation of automotive
batteries.”
Bron: Media Ford
terug naar Buitenlands
Focus nieuws terug
naar begin |
