Whither, 125 MPG: Toyota Shies From New Prius Battery Tech?
The company that's all about overhauling anything with a battery just unveiled a retrofitted ToMoCo Prius with plug-in capabilities and powered by Lithium Technology Corporation's newest "lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells." It's a 7 kWh battery comprising 63 of LTC's iron phosphate cells tied together by a proprietary battery management system that supposedly can provide "3000 charging cycles, which would be able to do 150,000 miles." Interestingly enough, this coincides with a report we're hearing from the road that bends and corners, who in turn heard from the Japanese newsdaily Nikkan Kogyo (who heard from a custodian perhaps?) that the number one super best automaker from the land of the rising sun's looking to postpone the use of Li-Ion batteries in the Prius, citing "safety concerns." Well, it'd be nice to get 125 mpg out of any vehicle — but yeah, if it exploded on impact or leaked acid, that'd probably negate the positive sunshiny feeling we'd get from the vehicle. Full press release after the jump, and our gallery of what may be the next Prius, the Toyota Hybrid-X concept below.
Next Generation Battery Technology Makes Hybrid and Electric Vehicles a Reality
Lithium Technology Corporation offers the Largest Lithium Iron Phosphate Cells in World
PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA, May 14, 2007 � The battery power solution for advanced automotives has arrived. Lithium Technology Corporation ("LTC") (OTC: LTHU) announced today its new product line of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells, the largest cells of their kind in the world. This is the answer the automotive industry has been searching for.
"The technology we can offer the automotive industry today is unmatched by any other battery power solution on the market," commented Dr. Klaus Brandt, executive vice president of LTC and managing director of LTC subsidiary GAIA Akkumulatorenwerke (GAIA). "Others have been estimating up to a year to deliver the technology we are proud to make available today. We have proven the superiority of our technology in the past, and with the iron phosphate product we have raised the bar even further."
LTC, a global provider of large lithium-ion rechargeable power solutions has focused solely on the development and production of large format lithium-ion batteries for more than twenty years. Unlike others, our advanced cells use LiFePO4 licensed technology, developed by Prof. John Goodenough with the University of Texas and supplied by Phostech; this chemistry coupled with the company's innovative end-to-end manufacturing processes and proprietary design, packaging and assembly techniques, allow LTC to provide high performance cells unmatched by any other product.
"Batteries made of LTC's cells can provide 3000 charging cycles, which would be able to do 150,000 miles to 80% capacity for a 100 km or 60 mile all electric range plug in hybrid, which no other technology can claim," said Dr. Andrew Frank, Professor, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of California, Davis . "The new cells from LTC provide improved safety with the iron phosphate chemistry while delivering the impeccable performance they are known for, which is what the auto makers have been in search of; this is a Company that is seriously committed to making hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles an affordable reality for the consumer."
LTC�s large format technology allows for the development of safer battery systems with a significantly lower number of cells. The weight of the battery is decreased while performance and safety monitoring capabilities are increased. The battery management system (BMS) is more precise monitoring fewer cells, keeping them in balance for best performance and preventing damage to the battery due to over voltage, under voltage, over temperature and short circuit.
The Company�s new product line offers cells ranging from 6 Ah to 35 Ah. Further statistics will be discussed at an expo of LTC�s breadth of power solution on May 23rd in New York City.
About Lithium Technology Corporation: Lithium Technology Corporation (LTC) is a global provider of large format rechargeable power solutions for diverse applications, and offers the largest lithium-ion cells with the highest power of any standard commercial lithium ion cell produced in the western hemisphere. With more than 30 years of experience, LTC leverages its extensive expertise in high power and large battery assemblies to commercialize advanced lithium batteries as a new power source in the military and national security systems, transportation and stationary power markets.
LTC manufactures the GAIA® product line of large, high power hermetically sealed rechargeable lithium-ion cells and batteries. The Company's product portfolio includes large cells and batteries from 10 times the capacity of a standard laptop computer battery to 100,000 times greater. LTC manufactures a variety of standard cells that are assembled into custom large batteries complete with electronics (battery management systems) and electronics to communicate with other components of the system for performance monitoring.
LTC headquarters are located in Plymouth Meeting, PA and R&D in Nordhausen, Germany. LTC sales for the U.S. and European markets are managed out of each of the offices. For more information about LTC, its technology and products, please visit http://www.lithiumtech.com .
Safe Harbor for Forward-looking Statements: The foregoing information contains forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties relating to such matters as financial performance, technology development, capital raising, business prospects, strategic partnering and similar matters. A variety of factors could cause LTC's actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results or other expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. This notice does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale.
Japan Report: Toyota Postponing Lithium-Ion Prius? [Winding Road]
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Spy Photos: Not the Next-Gen Prius, Potentially [internal]