GM Selects Compact Power and Continental Automotive Systems to Develop Volt Batteries

As has been reported in Technology Review and other media, General Motors (NYSE: GM), has selected Compact Power, Inc. (CPI), based in Troy, Mich and Continental Automotive Systems (CAS) to develop batteries for its "E-Flex System."

Per GM "The signing of these advanced development battery contracts for the E-Flex system is the latest proof point in GM's effort to transform the industry by diversifying automotive transportation away from petroleum with a range of propulsion alternatives."

The E-Flex System was first shown as the plug-in battery electric propulsion system for the Chevrolet Volt concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in January. A plug-in fuel cell variant of the E-Flex system was shown at the Shanghai Auto Show in April. The "E" stands for electric drive; the "Flex" represents the architecture's adaptability to be configured in several vehicle packages operating on various sources of electricity.

CPI battery packs include battery cells in an enclosure with internal wiring to connect the cells in a desired series or parallel configuration. The primary function of the battery pack is to store electrical energy for use by the vehicle during acceleration or other peak energy demands in a safe and controlled manner. Battery packs typically include battery cells, a battery management system, a high voltage junction box and interconnects.

The Battery Management System manages the delivery and acceptance of electrical energy to and from the cells and also provides the following key functions: Monitoring of voltage, Monitoring of temperature, Cooling system management and Acceptable current draw.

The main advantages found of the CPI large format cells are: Safer chemistry (that does not compromise performance or life) – CPI use proprietary manganese-based cathode chemistry with additives to improve calendar life under high temperature conditions.

• Minimized thermal runaway – Special high temperature separators (membranes between the electrodes) called SRS for their safety reinforcing characteristics, have been developed to minimize potential thermal runaway due to internal shorts.
• Safer laminated package construction – Designed to be more forgiving than a metal can under abuse conditions, and not to explode under extreme conditions.

Compact Power is using LG Chem cells. CPI is the North American subsidiary of South Korea's LG Chem. LG Chem/CPI has three manufacturing locations dedicated to the production of lithium-ion batteries. There are two facilities in Korea and one in China. LG Chem/CPI plans to set up manufacturing/assembly operations in North America within the next two years.

CAS will obtain its cells from A123 Systems, who will supply Nanophosphate based lithium ion batteries with an iron-based cathode that is claimed to be more thermally stable than manganese oxide. A123 claims that its cell chemistry "has the lowest intrinsic heat content per watt hour of stored electrical energy of any known lithium-ion system. Nanophosphate cathodes exhibit no oxygen evolution upon heating (unlike mixed oxide and Mn spinel cathodes), no thermal runaway under abusive conditions, and intrinsic overcharge protection initiating at the charged mental-oxide terminal."

Continental, based in Hanover, Germany, makes a range of products, such as brake and safety systems, including the electronic stability control, or StabiliTrak, used on many GM models.

Comments

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Mental oxide!

[Greg woulf]

I've got some mental oxidation problems myself.

I'm hoping for a car by 2010!

If nothing else I think this will jump start the other auto makers to do the same thing. At the least I think they'll start seriously testing and preparing for Plug in, and maybe serial.

[ElectRich]

In a recent intervue Altair CEO said they sent a set of their Nanosafe batteries for GM to evaluate. Also said they are seeking to license their nanosafe technology to others. By the time GM is ready to mass market the Volt the deal Altair has with Phoenix will have expired. There's also development with the rapid charge chargers. Aerovironment has the posi-charge system capable of charging all the various EV at there maximum safe level. I'm hoping to see charge stations poping up in California anytime now. Hopfully a stand alone charger with a credit card slot. 2007 may be the year EV's start to sweep the world!

[Beek]

Any numbers as how manganese-oxide batteries compare to iron-phosphate or nano-phosphate?

GM would be better off to invest in low-cost manufacturing of nano-phosphates than to endlessly try to test and retest and package and repackage this and that chemistry batteries ad infinitum for the next n number of years, and burn a few billion with little to show.

If they are sooooo unsure about nano-phosphate, then build max 10000 at a time at modestly high prices and see how these behave in the field. This idea that they gotta get all their bases covered and bullet proofed and come up with 1 million volume production in order to save $100 per vehicle in production is not how a technology startup would operate. They need to think like a startup when it comes to such new and revolutionary technology.

Bunch of old fogey idiots AFAICS. They deserve to go bankrupt and allow people with clear heads to replace eat their lunch. Predatory monopoly capitalism would not be half as bad if it were not for GM.

[AP]

Well, that's being open-minded!

[Wells]

Wow it's nice...... got the membership of GM Flex Card, it's so benificial.