Google is converting its growing fleet of hybrids into Plug-ins.
The vehicles wil be converted by installing Hymotion’s Battery Range Extender Module (BREM), powered with A123Systems’s Nanophosphate(TM) lithium ion batteries.
A123Systems developed its proprietary doped Nanophosphate chemistry with the assistance of the Department of Energy FreedomCar program and has received more than $102 million in private investment.
“Our automotive class cells are designed to cost-effectively address the specific requirements of automotive manufacturers today, including power and energy density, durability, and safety, that have hindered the development of market-ready PHEVs in the past,” said David Vieau, president and CEO of A123Systems. “Google’s efforts will accelerate progress in the PHEV market and provides us with another way to demonstrate commitment to the future of transportation, prove the efficiency of our cells, and ultimately speed these vehicles to market.”
The company’s PHEV optimized M1HD technology offers superior calendar and cycle life at high depth-of-discharge, as well as excellent power density for charge-sustaining operation. Additionally, the cells leverage the company’s existing low-cost, high-volume manufacturing techniques to offer the hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle industries a new level of price-performance.
Hymotion, recently acquired by A123Systems, is the leading fabricator of aftermarket plug-in hybrid conversions. The BREMs are lightweight, compact and require minimal modification to the stock vehicle. Hymotion’s BREMs can be easily installed in the spare tire well of most hybrid vehicles, enabling the conversion of current HEVs into PHEVs capable of achieving 100 or more miles per gallon. All necessary components and safety features are integrated and contained within the module, including: A123’s batteries, power electronics, crash sensors, charger, battery management system, safety sensors and manual-electric interlock. The plug-and-play system does not require removal of the OEM battery pack and can be installed in less than 2 hours.
“Working with Google on this initiative enables us to showcase to the public the value that PHEVs can provide, including the maximization of fuel economy and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions,” explained Ricardo Bazzarella, co-founder and president of Hymotion.”
Converted PHEVs have the potential to reduce oil consumption by as much as 75 percent and CO2 emissions by up to 50 percent over today’s internal combustion engine powered vehicles.
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