USDOE Works On Li-Ion Battery Safety, PHEV Technologies
June 29, 2008
Scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have been experimenting with a modified plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius that gets an equivalent mileage of 100 miles per gallon and uses solar energy to recharge its batteries. The car also features a Li-ion battery pack that is six times more powerful than the OEM nickel-metal hydride batteries that Toyota uses to power the vehicle.
Several auto manufacturers are working on plug-in hybrids that are meant for volume production, including GM, Toyota and Nissan. Toyota already has a plug-in hybrid Prius model that it plans to introduce in 2009.
The NREL is part of the US Department of Energy and is working with Li-ion battery maker A123Systems to improve the safety of Li-ion cells. The lab is concentrating on improving the thermal safety of the batteries, which can experience catastrophic failures if the battery’s interior membrane breaks down. It’s also looking at ways to reduce the loss of energy capacity that occurs as Li-ion batteries age.
The NREL is working with a single plug-in Prius conversion but plans to take delivery on another one soon. The rooftop solar panel generates 165 watts, enough for a five-mile drive. The plug-in researchmobile can go 50 miles between charges, which lead scientist Tony Markel says should be sufficient for about three-fourths of US drivers, who travel less than 40 miles per day.
Source: Wired
Photo: Sarah Barba, Courtesy of NREL
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