Johnson Controls to Power Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid
Aug 22, 2007 3:58 PM
A fleet of advanced, Dodge Sprinter
plug-in hybrid delivery vans will be operating within the United States,
powered by Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries developed by Johnson
Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions (JCS).
"Advances in Lithium-ion battery technology are bringing the reality of
plug-in hybrids closer to commercialization," said Mary Ann Wright, who
leads the JCS joint venture and is vice president and general manager of
Johnson Controls' hybrid battery business.
According to Wright, the Dodge Sprinter is an ideal vehicle to carry a
large battery pack and still have ample room readily accessible for use as
a delivery vehicle. Fleets of Sprinter plug-in hybrids were put into
service in Los Angeles, New York and Kansas City in 2006 during the first
phase of Chrysler and Daimler's plug-in hybrid development program. Powered
by Johnson Controls-Saft nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and Li-ion battery
packs, the Sprinter vans have provided valuable data to accelerate the
development of future battery technology.
The Li-ion battery packs in Sprinter plug-in hybrids will be 47 percent
lighter compared to previous NiMH systems and deliver more power than
today's conventional hybrid batteries.
"Advanced battery technology is the single most important enabler in making all types of electric vehicles practical," says Wright. "Plug-in
hybrids, conventional hybrids, electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel
cell vehicles will benefit from Lithium-ion technology. Johnson
Controls-Saft is determined to deliver state-of-the-art batteries to power
advanced, environmentally friendly vehicles."
Plug-in hybrids can travel much farther on emission-free electric power
than conventional hybrids, and are particularly well-suited for urban
delivery vehicles operating in heavy traffic and making frequent stops.
Plug-ins can be charged overnight using less-expensive off-peak
electricity. Very large battery packs, however, are needed to store the
electric energy for daily use.
"The Dodge Sprinter plug-in hybrids will be placed in multiple
locations within the United States," Wright added. "The technology will be
exposed to different drive cycles yielding information to develop the next
generation of Lithium-ion batteries."
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