Nissan and Sumitomo launch venture to recycle li-ion batteries

issan Motor Co., Ltd., and Sumitomo Corporation today announced joint plans to initiate a business venture to “Reuse, Resell, Refabricate and Recycle” lithium-ion batteries previously used in electric cars, giving them a “second-life” as energy-storage solutions in markets worldwide. The “4R” business model defined by the two companies is designed to capitalize...

Johnson Controls presents advanced battery technology for electric driving

Johnson Controls, one of the world’s leading suppliers of automotive interior systems, electronics and batteries, is presenting its re3 concept car at the 2009 IAA (Frankfurt Motor Show) in Frankfurt and demonstrating how electric driving saves fuel, without compromising space. The novel packaging of the lithium-ion battery system of one of the world market leaders of starter batteries allows...

Fiat unit in battery deal for electric vehicles

Italian vehicle group Fiat SpA’s (FIA.MI) Magneti Marelli unit has signed an agreement with Italy’s FAAM SpA for development, production and sale of lithium batteries, Fiat said on Monday. The electronics and components unit sees joint development of the batteries for electric propulsion of cars, motorbikes, buses and other vehicles, leading to product sales in the second half of...

Toyota, University of Tohoku improve lithium-ion batteries ten-fold

Toyota and the University of Tohoku have announced the development of a new technology that is able to boost the capacity of lithium-ion batteries. What’s this new improvement all about? Current lithium-ion batteries are usually made from a polycrystalline form of lithium cobalt oxide that are connected with grains of graphite. The newly-developed batteries use a less graphite, just a...

Smart Fortwo electric drive

From mid November 2009 the new smart fortwo electric drive will roll off the production line at the smart factory in Hambach, France. Unlike its predecessor, the electrically driven smart fortwo of the second generation is fitted with an innovative and highly efficient lithium-ion battery. It is housed in a space-saving position between the axles, which means that space is not compromised in any...