Ener1's $6.5 Million Award

This release is part of one Company’s growing story in helping the U.S. to develop a lithium-ion battery to power the next generation of hybrid cars.

As of now, hybrid vehicles are powered by nickel metal hydride batteries. They are large and do not leave much space for the car designers, passenger and luggage. Space is much restricted.

The lithium-ion battery is, by far, the preferred technology. The problem has been to produce a lithium-ion battery that is safe. The chemistry produces heat that can sometimes be quite volatile especially in the small consumer batteries driving smaller electronic equipment.

The Ener1/EnerDel battery will be using a new casing developed in Indianapolis which produces less heat. The battery is compact, extremely efficient and is designed to run cooler.

Subhash Dhar is President of EnerDel. He is a much quoted, highly respected voice in the battery technology space, having worked on the initial design of the nickel metal hydride battery. The batteries are now used in most of the hybrid cars on the road in the U.S. and abroad.

EnerDel will be using the much coveted grant given by the U.S. Advanced Battery Corp – a consortium which includes General Motors, Ford and Chrysler – to advance development of the EnerDel due to roll out in October. Moreover, EnerDel hope to launch their battery in a prototype hybrid car later this year.