Lithium And Hybrid Batteries
...at Johnson Controls, Inc.
Introduction
Although there have been many improvements to the materials and processes of lead-acid batteries, the way the battery works and the electrochemistry that takes place has not changed since Gaston Platte, a French Scientist, immersed lead plates in diluted sulfuric acid in 1859 and proved current would flow between the plates repeatedly (Lead-acid, 2004). As automotive technology and needs change, the battery must change with it. The issues that are driving this change are "consumer pull, government push, and manufacturer competitive advantage" (Dhingra, 2004, p. 6). Most consumers want a change due to the increased concern about the environment. The government is pushing this change with increased emission controls and safety requirements (Dhingra, 2004). Finally, manufacturers who can develop and deliver hybrid or electric vehicles will have a huge advantage in the market (Dhingra, 2004).
This change to totally electric vehicles (EVs) will not take place overnight and could be many years down the road. The changes will more than likely transition from our current automobile concept of internal combustion engine (ICE) powered vehicles to some type of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) before going totally to EVs.
There are some vehicles on the market today that are using an ICE stop-start technology. In this type of automobile, the vehicles use the ICE for "propulsion but shut down the engine when stopped" (Dhingra, 2004, p. 6). This type of system is being developed due to the increased pressures automobile manufacturers are being placed under to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy. One of the vehicles that use this type of technology is the Toyota Vitz with a lithium battery. This market is expected to grow significantly over the next ten years especially in the four-cylinder ICE segment (Dhingra,...
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