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EnerDel, U.S. Lithium-ion Battery Maker, Unveils Market Ready HEV Battery Pack

October 10th, 2007 | Posted in: Battery, Hybrid

en_pack.jpg

EnerDel has recently been making the news, appearing on the shortlist of U.S. battery makers awarded U.S. government research grants. I had the opportunity to interview the companies Vice-Chairman to get us some more details (previous post).

Now they have publicly unveiled a fully-functional working lithium-ion battery pack, to be used in hybrid (not plug-in) electric vehicles.

The event occured yesterday in their home state of Indiana, and was attended by congressman Dan Burton.

The pack is noted to cost $1500.

You can view a video of the event here: (VIDEO LINK)

There have also been some recent rumors suggesting that EnerDel has signed a deal with Th!nk to be the supplier of packs for their plug-in electric car (link).

I asked whether that was true of Ener1 Vice-Chairman Charles Gassenheimer, and this was his response:

“As you know, we can’t comment on speculation or rumors, so therefore, we can’t confirm or deny the rumors of a contract with Th!nk at this time. As soon as we are able, we will let our investors, media and other interested parties know of any definitive agreements.”

Posted by: Lyle

18 Responses to “EnerDel, U.S. Lithium-ion Battery Maker, Unveils Market Ready HEV Battery Pack”


  1. Jim
    Vote -1 Vote +1Jim     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 9:31 am

    “to be used in hybrid (not plug-in) electric vehicles”

    Ok. I’ll go first. Why not plug-ins?  

    (Quote)


  2. Steven B
    Vote -1 Vote +1Steven B     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 9:54 am

    They haven’t developed for PHEVs or RxEVs. The question should be “how long until they have a pack for plug-ins?” I just want to say that this is awesome!  

    (Quote)


  3. Tim
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tim     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 10:08 am

    I understand that they will have packs for the Volt mules by the end of the year and that they chose the HEV pack first because those are simpler to produce and the vehicles are already on the market. This is just the first baby step in pack production.  

    (Quote)


  4. OhmExcited
    Vote -1 Vote +1OhmExcited     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 11:34 am

    What is different about the EnerDel batteries than conventional lithium-ion? I believe they are not nano-based, like A123. How do they achieve high cycle life and low probability of runaway thermal events, which are requirements for plug-in series hybrids?  

    (Quote)


  5. Steven B
    Vote -1 Vote +1Steven B     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 11:44 am

    The magic lies in the chemistry. It is a lithium-titanate material. The physical characteristics are different than lithium-phosphate and lithium-manganese. Each chemical setup just has different properties. They’ve developed one using titanium that meets market expectations.  

    (Quote)


  6. kent beuchert
    Vote -1 Vote +1kent beuchert     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 12:05 pm

    The EnerDel technology is similar to Altair’s except that the cost is WAY less and I think they aren’t as hefty as the Altairs. Think has had a very spotty history – into and out of bankruptcy, ownerd and then discarded by Ford, etc.
    Notice that many of the previously all-electrics are now realizing that all-electric is not feasible, even for tiny,
    incapable cars. They are all following VOLT’s lead.  

    (Quote)


  7. AES
    Vote -1 Vote +1AES     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 12:10 pm

    They haven’t released full technical specs on the battery pack, so this is almost a non-story.  

    (Quote)


  8. Tim
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tim     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 2:06 pm

    Ken, I think GM realized through the EV-1 project that the leap to BEVs just takes too much faith for most people. This paradigm/technology shift must be accomplished in steps.

    1) Mild Hybrids with BAS, and piston shut-down
    2) ICE Hybrids with little electric helper motors like the Prius.
    3) Plug in Hybrids like the View.
    4) BEVs with “range extenders” like the Volt E-Flex
    5) BEVs with larger batteries and no range extender BEV E-Flex.

    All of these vehicles have their place depending on use, power requirements (towing, range etc.). Once people realize through personal experience that they hardly ever use their Volt’s range extender for their daily commute, they will buy less expensive all electrics for commuting and rent the others for specific tasks. Of course, the rich will own multiple vehicles and companies will buy for specific tasks.  

    (Quote)


  9. wow
    Vote -1 Vote +1wow     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 2:24 pm

    Kent left out that it’s also not zero strain like Altair’s, so it’s not as safe, long lasting, cool running, fast charging or power dense all at the same time.  

    (Quote)


  10. Andy
    Vote -1 Vote +1Andy     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 2:25 pm

    Tim– that actually nicely summarizes where we think the market is heading. Toyota believes #3 is the future, while GM is trying to jump to #4 with the Volt. Tesla and others are trying to leapfrog them all straight to #5. I think over the next 20 years we will see a mix of all 6 options (option 0 being the existing ICE). It is an exciting time to follow the auto industry. Innovate or go out of business!  

    (Quote)


  11. Steven B
    Vote -1 Vote +1Steven B     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 3:34 pm

    Pesonally, I think that the RxEV (design #4) is the best design. I integrate my perspective with the benefits for V2G uses. If nothing else, in the future V2G will allow people to use their cars for backup power for the occasional blackout. That’s a benefit that fully disregards outside market opportunities involved in providing V2G services to utilities, etc. Everyone (almost) has a car. And if your car is a RxEV, then when you or someone your visiting experiences a blackout, you can use your car as a generator. Designs 0, 1, and 2 don’t allow that in anyway, and with option 5 you can use it for a while, but then you’ll be in a bigger problem if the battery is depleted because you’ll also be stranded. Maybe the future will be as much as a mix as you say, but I think people will almost all gravitate towards design #4. It’s my opinion, mind you, but I think it’s just the best!  

    (Quote)


  12. Tim
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tim     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 4:03 pm

    #4 will dominate ground transportation for the foreseeable future with the others filling defined roles. V2G combined with the new low cost home solar PV would make that scenario ALMOST perfect. Perfection of course would be to invent a Zero Point Electron Pump for an unlimited energy supply. Some say that it’s almost ready, but we’ll see. I believe that we’ll have to wait until all the money and power is sucked out of the ground first.  

    (Quote)


  13. Brian
    Vote -1 Vote +1Brian     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 5:40 pm

    Tim –

    What is this Zero Point Electron Pump you speak of? Sounds like perpetual motion, but I’d like to read more if you have a link.

    Thanks  

    (Quote)


  14. OhmExcited
    Vote -1 Vote +1OhmExcited     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 6:19 pm

    Pure electrics will cost more, because of the battery requirements, and likely weigh more for the same class of vehicle with the same range — at least in the somewhat near and foreseeable future. I doubt we will see any pure electrics driving down I-5 in the desert, or from Los Angeles to Phoenix anytime soon.

    When pure electrics can go more than 500 miles and are priced in the same range as an ordinary car, then you will see them gain in popularity. However, it’s very unlikely this performance could soon be extended to all class of vehicles, especially larger ones. As such, the generalized e-Flex architecture has the potential to strike a nerve in the next 10 years.  

    (Quote)


  15. Estero
    Vote -1 Vote +1Estero     Says:
    October 10th, 2007 at 8:00 pm

    I agree with Steve B. The RxEV is the best design, at least from my perspective. I also believe the market will demand the cars be utilitarian; family cars.

    Yes, there will be many who will use their cars for commuting to/from work, neighborhood shopping, etc. This is good! But, those same people will demand their RxEv be a family car.

    Sorry, but I cannot buy into the idea that people will purchase a PHEV for commuting and rent otherwise. That’s not likely to happen. Let’s not forget that those rental cars are also likely to be a RxEV design.  

    (Quote)


  16. Tim
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tim     Says:
    October 11th, 2007 at 12:19 pm

  17. Tim
    Vote -1 Vote +1Tim     Says:
    October 11th, 2007 at 12:23 pm

    What the heck, here’s more interesting info:

    http://www.freeenergynews.com/Directory/ZPE/index.html

    Crazy, maybe. Interesting, OH YEA!  

    (Quote)


  18. Michael Knight
    Vote -1 Vote +1Michael Knight     Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 7:31 am

    The Only Solution to the pandemic ENERGY CRISIS is EASY and SIMPLE.
    STOP the ENERGY WASTE !
    Our energy waste is horrendous and tragic, thou easily FIXABLE !
    America wastes over 60% of the energy it consumes. The Energy Waste is
    Everywhere !
    (1) We over heat and over cool our homes, businesses, offices,
    schools, churches, etc…
    (2) 10’s of millions of outdoor lights burn during the day.
    (3) Over packaging is the norm. Recycling is inadequate . Our
    landfills are busier than ever.
    (4) Most Americans do not minimize their driving. Congestion is horrendous.
    (5) Road construction in America is the ultimate contradiction.

    The Only way to eliminate energy waste and over demand is by using the
    economic impact of taxing energy, in lieu of Federal Income Tax. Until
    the price of gas is $6 to $8 per gallon, hedonist America will not
    significantly reduce its over consumption and energy waste. Federal
    Gas Tax should be $4 to $6 per gallon and ‘offset’ by making Federal
    Income Tax begin at $60k.
    Only with a tangible/dollar reward will America care to conserve. High
    energy costs are the only incentive by which renewable alternative
    energy supply will be developed.
    In the mean time, the USA continues to give away its economic and
    political wealth to the Islamic Middle East via OPEC, just so we can
    continue our energy waste. Know that the Islamic dominated OPEC cartel
    is glad to allow supply and demand market forces to drive energy
    prices to $8/gallon. The Islamics, who want to annihilate us, may
    succeed; using our American ‘gas money’ to buy the weapons needed to
    do so.
    China, India, and other ‘developing countries’ have just begun to
    compete for the world’s remaining energy supply. Geopolitical unrest
    is directly related to global competition for energy and natural
    resources. If global demand for energy is not dramatically reduced,
    World war is inevitable.
    Ford and General Motors are headed for bankruptcy, which will leave
    100,000,000 Americans unemployed, ruin our economy, and lead to
    anarchy. America can no longer continue to ‘do business as usual’.
    Ford and GM must quickly transition to the lucrative business of
    building solar and wind ‘energy producers’ for the world’s 6.7 BILLION
    people reason$. The world cannot continue to support all the
    automakers. We are running out of petroleum. Wake up !
    Mass transit must reward those who reduce their driving and thereby
    become FREE, SAFE, CLEAN, and CONVENIENT. Only then, will significant
    numbers of people use it.

    The incentive necessary to create a renewable and sustainable energy
    supply can only occur when we implement the economics of TAXING ENERGY
    - NOT INCOME!  

    (Quote)

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