International Battery Chosen to Provide EV Battery Packs for Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE Contestant BDCOTSRUS
 |
SEE ALSO: Alcohol and Driving DO Mix
ALLENTOWN, Pa.--International Battery (www.internationalbattery.com), a U.S. manufacturer and developer of large-format lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, today announced that it will supply the battery plant for the super fuel-efficient car that team BDCOTSRUS has built for the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE.
The goal of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices. Ten million dollars in prizes will be awarded to the teams that win a stage competition for lean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 MPGe (miles per gallon or its energy equivalent).
BDCOTSRUS has chosen International Battery to supply the battery pack for its modified 1995 Saturn SL2 in order to reach a minimum of 100MPGe. The battery design incorporates Lithium-Iron-Phosphate chemistry and consists of eight individual modules, with nine 160Ah large format prismatic cells in each module. A modular design conveniently distributed in the car allows a nominal operating voltage of 230 volts. The vehicle will be propelled by an electric traction motor, which gets its power thru an AC/DC inverter, motor controller and batteries. A small onboard generator will provide power to the batteries on an “as-needed” basis. The batteries provide the energy storage to the system allowing normal driving conditions for the car. In addition, the driver can recharge from shore power if required, providing a plug-in hybrid.
“We are delighted to partner with BDCOTSRUS in this very important competition,” stated Dr. Ake Almgren, International Battery President and CEO. “We believe this is a great fit for our technology and demonstrates our value for applications when energy really matters.”
A key competitive advantage to using large format energy storage systems from International Battery is the company’s unique Battery Management System (BMS). The BMS monitors the temperature and voltage of each cell and provides continuous active balancing of the system maintaining all cells within a narrow voltage range. Providing an accurate assessment of each individual cell makes the battery pack inherently more reliable and efficient than traditional battery designs using wound cylindrical cells without individual cell monitoring. Large format prismatic cells result in a less complex system with a more efficient electrical bus and low thermal management requirements allowing compact packaging and good system energy density.
“We are pleased to have International Battery on the team,” stated Robert McNeill from BDCOTSRUS. “We partnered with International Battery because of the company’s reputation for producing a powerful, safe, reliable and compact Lithium-Ion based battery pack. Another major advantage is their existing domestic production here in the United States.”
BDCOTSRUS is a group of engineers, consultants, and friends dedicated to increasing the efficiency of existing car designs. Out of the original 97 teams accepted into the competition, BDCOTSRUS is one of only 43 qualified to continue on in the competition. BDCOTSRUS, along with its opponents, will now be preparing the final adjustments to their vehicles. BDCOTSRUS’s fuel-efficient vehicle will make its appearance, including the batteries, in the upcoming rounds of competition starting in Spring 2010, and concluding in Fall 2010.
For more details on team BDCOTSRUS visit: www.bdcotsrus.com. For more information about International Battery, please visit: www.internationalbattery.com.
About International Battery
Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., International Battery is a U.S. manufacturer, designer, and developer of large-format lithium-ion rechargeable cells and batteries for use in a wide range of transportation, industrial, electric utility, smart grid and military applications, employing a uniquely environmentally friendly manufacturing process.
About the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE
The goal of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE is to inspire a new generation of viable, super fuel-efficient vehicles that offer more consumer choices. Ten million dollars in prizes will be awarded to the teams that win a stage competition for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 Miles per gallon or energy equivalent (MPGe). The Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE will place a major focus on efficiency, safety, affordability, and the environment. It is about developing real, production-capable cars that consumers will want to buy, not science projects or concept cars. This progress is needed because today's oil consumption is unsustainable and because automotive emissions significantly contribute to global warming and climate change. For more information about the Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, please visit www.progressiveautoxprize.org or email progressiveautopress@xprize.org.