The world wide auto industry is making the push towards greener and more fuel efficient vehicles. One of the key components currently used in these green vehicles are lithium-ion batteries which are currently manufcatured all over the world.

Today, a country that you probably wouldn’t expect to be a key player in the game has announced that they will be producing their own lithium-ion batteries by 2018. That country is none other than Bolivia.

The purpose of producing their own lithium-ion batteries is so they could bypass the costly expenses of imported batteries made elsewhere. Smart, huh?

via laht

Tags: batteries, bolivia, lithium ion

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I’ve seen some weird concept cars writing here, but I think I might have found the (literally!) high-water mark for weird in the Tang Hua Detroit Fish.

Designed as part of what can only be described as an insane quest to create an “iconic” car for China, the Detroit Fish comes standard with a 3.5 kilowatt electric motor and lithium ion battery pack, which allows it to go about seventy five miles and achieve a whopping top speed of roughly 24 miles per hour.  This means, of course, it’s yet another city cruiser--long-range commuters need not apply.

When pressed, its designer had this to say about the enormous yellow nightmare of a car: “There will be no Chinese national cars of significance if the Chinese spirit is absent from their design.”

But you’ve got to give him credit for trying–they were gunning for “distinctiveness” and distinctiveness they got.  Will anyone actually drive this massive fish?  I call it unlikely.

Tags: battery pack, Chinese, chinese car, Electric, lithium ion, Tang Hua Detroit Fish

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Infiniti has come forth today to let us know that they will in fact be selling hybrid version of their M35. The proper title is the 2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid and will hit dealerships sometime in 2011.

Under the hood you can expect a 6 cylinder engine, twin-clutch transmission along with a lithium ion powered electric motor all powering the cars rear wheels.

Unfortunately that is currently all the information we have regarding the 2012 M35 Hybrid but we’ll keep you updated as more is made known.

via kickingtires

Tags: 6 cylinder, hybrid, Infiniti, lithium ion, m35, twin clutch

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Reports are emerging that say IBM, and the Battery 500 team, is looking to develop a 500-mile lithium-air battery pack for use in future vehicles.

According to AutoBlogGreen this lithium-air technology uses “lithium anodes electrochemically coupled to atmospheric oxygen through an air cathode” making for an extremely energy dense battery. In fact, IBM reportedly said these batteries could hold up to 10 times more energy than your regular, lithium ion battery.

Will they succeed? Let’s hope so because 500 miles on a single charge is definitely something I’m interested in.

Tags: battery 500, IBM, lithium ion, Lithium-Air

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It was recently made known that Panasonic is working closley with Toyota to produce lithium ion batteries for cars that will be tremendously cheaper to produce than larger celled batteries.

The reason these Panasonic produced batteries would include lithium ion cells found in typical laptop batteries. However, Panasonic has reportedly come up with a new method of connecting said cells that will give them the same capacity of larger cells but cost a hell of a lot less to produce.

Let’s hope this technology goes into use sooner rather than later.

Read (Reuters)

Tags: cells, laptop batteries, lithium ion, Panasonic, Toyota

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What you see above is Suzuki’s 2010 Swift, a plug-in hybrid concept that is set to make it’s official debut at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. This little vehicle features a 660 cc engine to charge its on board lithium ion batteries situated between the 2 front seats.

Those lithium ion batters in question will be used to power the car’s 54 kW motor which will then give the car front wheel drive.

That’s all we have now regarding the 2010 Suzuki Swift plug-in hybrid concept, check back as the Tokyo Motor Show grows closer.

via autoblog

Tags: batteries, hybrid, lithium ion, Plug-in, Suzuki, tokyo motor show, wift

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As new electric cars continue to flourish and come out one by one, how much they would cost is the prime concern for most motorists. Basing it from the initial prices set out in the market, they are not that cheap. And now, the next best thing to do right now is to compare and see which electric car can fit into their budget and deliver their transport needs.

REVA initially made the headlines when it unveiled its electric car in India last February. And now, that same company reveals the price for its REVA NXG which is scheduled to go into full production by 2010. Average prices in Europe, will be around 14,995 EUROS for the lithium-ion NXR Intercity version, plus a monthly mobility fee for the batteries and other services.The REVA NXG pricing in Europe, excluding batteries is from 23,000 euros plus a monthly mobility fee.

The REVA falls under the M1 category three door, four seater hatchback family and can reach a top speed of 104 KPH and a range of 160 KMS. They boast of a keyless entry and operation and will include REVA’s exclusive REVive remote emergency charge.

Check out the gallery below:

(Source) Press

Tags: batteries, Budget, electric car, electric cars, Europe, headlines, India, initial prices, keyless entry, kph, lithium, lithium ion, motorists, prime concern, reva nxg, top speed

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Last weekend we let you know that GM would announce the location of their lithium ion battery plant sometime this week. Well, right on queue, the automaker has issued a press release stating that their new battery plant will call Brownstown Township, Michigan its home. This plant will not only make lithium ion batteries for the Chevy Volt but also for other GM vehicles utilizing the Voltec powertrain system.

After the lithium ion batteries are manufactured, they will be shipped to GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant where they will then be installed in the cars.

In terms of the economy, this new plant will employ around 100 new people to man the 160,00 sq-ft facility with further employment plans being announced at a later date.

Tags: battery plant, brownstown township, chevy volt, lithium ion, Michigan, voltec

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If reports are to be believed, Toyota may have intentions to launch their iQ based all-electric vehicle into the market by 2010.

Almost no details have been released regarding the car but WorldCarFans suggests that it will feature a lithum ion battery, 4 in-wheel motors and a range of up to 93 miles. In terms of charging, the car will apparantely reach a full charge after 8 hours.

8 hours? Let’s hope those guys over at MIT get their rapid-recharge system out sooner rather than later.

Tags: all electric, electric motors, ev, in-wheel, iQ, lithium ion, Toyota

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It’s no secret that the entire auto-industry is moving towards more environmentally friendly vehicles be it deisel, hybrid, or fully electric. Several automakers have already gotten some of their fully electric models into production however, Dailmer AG, makers of the popular smart car series, has lacked behind.

Luckily, Dailmer has announced that their fully electric smart ed is ready to enter limited production sporting lithium-ion batteries. Release dates are vague but Dailmer let us know that the UK would be getting some production models early next year.

The U.S., however, will have to wait a bit longer as the automaker has said they will only begin testing about 1,000 of these fully electrics next year.

Read (AutoblogGreen)

Tags: dailmer ag, Electric, lithium ion, smart ed

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Do you remember Mitsubishi’s iMiEV? The vehicle that looked kind of like a smart car except it was powered entirely by electricity?

Well, Mitsubishi has announced today that they have begun producing the car and hoipe to build 2,000 before the end of this fiscal year. As for next year, Mitsubishi is hoping to increase production of the iMiEV to 5,000.

For those who don’t know, Mitsubishi is saying that the iMiEV can get around 100 miles per charge and is in the ballpark of $31,000. Then again, that price is what is expected if the iMiEV ever makes its way to American shores.

Read (AutoBlogGreen)

Tags: all electric, imiev, lithium ion, Production

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Sure, Volvo is set to release a plug-in hybrid by 2012 but Toyota is far ahead of them. With their industry leading Prius being the go-to car when you’re looking for a hybrid the next step would be to manufacture one that could be recharged with a standard outlet.

And, that’s just what Toyota has done announcing that they will be bringing lithum-powered plug-in Prius’ to the states later this year.

The bad news? There will be only 150 made available for lease so chances are you probably won’t be able to get your hands on one. Bummer.

Read (HybridCarBlog)

Tags: battery, hybrid, lease, lithium ion, Plug-in, united states

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K2 Energy Solutions has revealed that they are constructing a new 90,000 square-foot facility in Varkaus, Finland. The new facility will be used to manufacture safe and eco-friendly high-capacity batteries for Europe’s advanced industrial, energy and transportation needs, and is being constructed in conjunction with K2’s European technology partner, European Batteries.

Utilizing the world’s most advanced lithium battery technology, K2 and EB are working in close collaboration to create the world’s most advanced rechargeable battery. Through this alliance, the companies intend to develop a safer, more efficient battery chemistry that is specifically designed to address Europe’s need for high-capacity rechargeable batteries.

The $44 million facility is expected to be completed in Fall of this year, with full battery production beginning in early 2010.

(Source) Press

Tags: battery chemistry, battery technology, capacity batteries, collaboration, conjunction, energy solutions, Europe, finland, industrial energy, lithium, lithium battery, lithium ion, rechargeable batteries, rechargeable battery, square foot facility, technology partner, varkaus

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