Ener1 Inc., maker of lithium-ion battery systems to power the next generation of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles, has announced a cooperative partnership among EnerDel, Ener1's lithium-ion battery subsidiary; a heavy-duty original equipment manufacturer (OEM); and the Department of Energy, to develop high-energy batteries for hybrid bus and heavy-duty vehicle markets.
This partnership is a congressionally directed program with a total budget of $1.25 million, 80 percent of which will be funded by the National Energy Technology Laboratory at the Department of Energy. The remaining 20 percent will be funded by EnerDel.
The program has been designed to test EnerDel's multiple hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) battery chemistries under real-world conditions. Three of EnerDel's advanced chemistries have been selected for testing in extreme environments, ranging from hot and cold climates to operating the hybrid battery in full electric mode for extended periods of time. The significance of this would be to simulate long driving distances where the goal is to eliminate noise and pollution in tunnel and other city driving applications.