Ovonic NiMH Batteries Featured in GM Advanced Technology Vehicle Introduced at North American International Auto Show
13 January 2000
Ovonic NiMH Batteries Featured in GM Advanced Technology Vehicle Introduced at North American International Auto Show
TROY, Mich., Jan. 13 -- Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
("ECD") and its subsidiary, Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
("Ovonic Battery"), announced that their next generation proprietary Ovonic
nickel metal hydride ("NiMH") batteries were featured in the GM Advanced
Hybrid Technology Demonstration Vehicle, Precept, shown at the North American
International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Ovonic NiMH battery is a
liquid cooled, compact design pack mounted under the front seat floor area.
The Precept is a fully functioning hybrid electric five-passenger, four-
door family sedan that achieves fuel economy of 80 miles per gallon. The
proof-of-concept vehicle evolved out of GM's participation in the Partnership
for Next Generation of Vehicles (PNGV), a collaborative research endeavor
between the U.S. Government and the domestic automobile manufacturers with the
goal of developing technologies that enable up to three times the fuel
efficiency of conventional cars with significantly lower exhaust emissions.
The proprietary Ovonic NiMH battery pack consists of 28 12 volt modules
with over 3 kwhr usable capacity. The battery modules use a liquid thermal
management system. This latest generation battery uses a plastic monoblock
case with the cell interconnects internal to the case. Like all Ovonic NiMH
batteries, they are high power, have long cycle life and are maintenance free.
Tests have demonstrated that these modules deliver in excess of 200,000
cycles, equivalent to over 120,000 miles in a vehicle. Battery efficiency is
rated at 93%, which contributes to the achievement of the Precept's remarkable
fuel economy.
Mr. Subhash Dhar, president of Ovonic Battery, said, "The high power NiMH
batteries are also ideal for use as a starter, lighting and ignition (SLI)
battery, as well as 36-42 volt electric and propulsion systems currently under
consideration by the world's automakers."
"The compact size of the NiMH monoblock battery provides flexible and easy
packaging not possible with conventional batteries," added Al Harville,
Director of Marketing at Ovonic Battery.
ECD is a leader in the synthesis of new materials and the development of
advanced production technology and innovative products. It has pioneered and
developed enabling technologies leading to new products and production
processes based on amorphous, disordered and related materials, with an
emphasis on advanced information technologies and alternative energy,
including hydride storage materials capable of storing hydrogen in a solid
state for use as a feedstock for fuel cells or as a fuel for internal
combustion engines. ECD's web site address is http://www.ovonic.com .
Ovonic Battery was founded by ECD in 1982 to develop and commercialize its
basic proprietary NiMH rechargeable battery technology. All significant
battery manufacturers are licensees of Ovonic Battery's NiMH battery
technology. In 1994, Ovonic Battery and General Motors Corporation formed a
manufacturing joint venture, GM Ovonic, L.L.C., to commercialize NiMH
batteries for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles for sale to the
automotive industry. The Ovonic NiMH battery for electric vehicles is the
first and only battery to exceed 200 miles on a single charge during official
tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy.
This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which ECD, as
of the date of this release, believes to be reasonable and appropriate. ECD
cautions, however, that the actual facts and conditions that may exist in the
future could vary materially from the assumed facts and conditions upon which
such forward-looking statements are based.