Tag Archives: lithium ion batteries

Chinese Junk Watch: Exploding Yamaha Wireless Guitar Amp

Posted on 14 March 2020 by Ken Zino

“The lithium-ion battery can overheat, and the battery cover can separate with force,  posing fire and injury hazards.” (This appears to be an explosion – editor) Continue reading →

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Porsche Commissions MAN eTruck for Green Logistics

Posted on 16 December 2018 by Ken Zino

In producing the eTruck for Porsche, MAN claims it passes another milestone on its e-mobility roadmap, according to which the first small series of the MAN eTGM is planned from early 2019. Continue reading →

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UMD Researchers Get $1 Million for EV Battery Research

Posted on 26 August 2013 by Ken Zino

Lithium-ion batteries are problematic in electric vehicles due to short driving range, high cost, and low safety and reliability. Continue reading →

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Sales of Lithium Ion Batteries Grow as New Electric Vehicles Debut

Posted on 21 February 2013 by Ken Zino

The latest research shows that the lithium ion battery market had revenues of $2.13 billion in 2012. Moreover, there are projections that this could reach as much as reach $12.84 billion in 2019. The advanced battery market has significant government support in the form of rebates, which varies according to the country, state and city. Continue reading →

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BMW and Toyota Sign Deal for Joint Fuel Cell and Battery Programs

Posted on 24 January 2013 by Ken Zino

BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation today in Japan signed a contract for the joint development of a fuel cell system, a new architecture and components for a sports vehicle, and research in lightweight technologies. Continue reading →

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BMW and Toyota Sign Lithium Ion Battery Research Deal

Posted on 27 March 2012 by Ken Zino

Current production Toyota hybrids use nickel metal hydride batteries, an older but thoroughly proven technology. Toyota has been reluctant to use the newer, more expensive lithium ion technology, much loved by environmentalist, but shunned thus far by mainstream car buyers. Nevertheless, Toyota is introducing its first generation of lithium ion batteries in the Prius Plug-in hybrid just on sale in the U.S. Continue reading →

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Energy Conversion Devices Files Chapter 11, Sells Ovonic Battery. Common Stock to Be Worthless Under Reorganization

Posted on 14 February 2012 by Ken Zino

OBC was the inventor and worldwide licensor of nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable battery technology, but the cancellation of GM’s EV1, which used the batteries, and the building of a NiMH battery factory in Ohio, which was never used, severely hurt the company, which had a record of obtaining research grants and licensing patents, but was ultimately never able to profitably commercialize its advanced technologies. Continue reading →

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First Lifetime Hybrid Battery Warranty On Hyundai Sonata

Posted on 10 January 2012 by Ken Zino

The announcement appears to be an opportunistic and pre-emptive use of public relations, given current Chevrolet Volt battery fire concerns. The Chevrolet Volt uses the same supplier – LG Chem – as the 2011 model Sonata Hybrid. Model year 2012 Sonata hybrid versions are just about to go on sale since Hyundai is still clearing out inventories of its 2011 Sonata Hybrid. This is a rare sales setback for Hyundai, which also captured the North American Car of the Car of the Year award for its Elantra compact car at NAIAS, and reflects a larger hybrid sales problem that most automakers have. Continue reading →

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NHTSA Opens a Formal Defect Investigation into Chevrolet Volt Battery Fires When a Second Fire Occurs After a Crash Test

Posted on 26 November 2011 by Ken Zino

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – NHTSA – is opening a formal safety defect investigation to assess the risk posed by Chevrolet Volt battery fires after a serious accident. The formal investigation came after NHTSA observed two post-crash testing fires emanating from Volt’s lithium ion batteries, the latest occurring last Thursday. Since July, GM has implemented a post crash procedure that includes the depowering of the battery after a severe crash, returning the battery to what it calls a safe and low-powered state. Continue reading →

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Renault Dedicates Enlarged Electric Vehicle Test Center

Posted on 15 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Since missing the hybrid segment completely that Toyota went on to dominate globally, reaping billions upon billions of dollars worth of “Green” image benefits in the process, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of both Renault and Nissan, has “bet the farm” by investing almost $5 billion in electric vehicles. Thus far, the Nissan Leaf, with roughly 8,000 sales year-to-date, has not met expectations in the U.S. Nissan, optimistically, wants 20% of its sales to be EVs by 2020. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Volt Fire After Crash Prompts NHTSA Investigation

Posted on 11 November 2011 by Ken Zino

Lithium battery safety in a plug-in hybrid, such as the Chevrolet Volt, or pure electric automobile, such as the Nissan Leaf, is based on a complex series of factors involving not only the battery design, but where it is placed in the vehicle; its discharge and recharge rates; cooling; as well as the software that governs the whole system, including failure modes that when detected disable the battery. Continue reading →

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Bosch To Build Pilot Line to Make Lithium-Ion Batteries

Posted on 25 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Currently, lithium ion battery technology is dominated by Asian firms, in China, Japan and Korea. U.S. and European automakers are scrambling to increase their expertise in hybrid and electric vehicle technologies because of increasingly stringent government regulations that favor hybrid and electric vehicles. Continue reading →

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GM Awards A123 Contract for Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Posted on 11 August 2011 by Ken Zino

Teams from both companies will now work on developing calibrations and software controls for the battery system in preparation for production. Continue reading →

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Construction of Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicle Battery Plant in Tennessee Well Underway

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Construction is progressing on Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, which will produce lithium-ion batteries for the Leaf electric vehicle. Continue reading →

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