Co-founder of A123Systems Ric Fulop described the company as having made significant progress with two Department of Energy funded projects when speaking at the Annual Merit Review for the Hydrogen and Vehicle Technologies Programmes.
The company is developing a portfolio of prismatic automotive cells which have been funded through two USABC 50:50 cost share programmes. The line-up includes a 20Ah energy cell for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles with a production start date of 2009/2010; as well as several power cells for hybrids with a production start date of 2011/2012.
The firm has also refined its cylindrical cells with the second-generation 32113 cell expected to enter high volume production with a major car manufacturer later this year. This cell offers only average power density and so A123Systems has focused on three new prismatic power cells – 4Ah, 6Ah and 8Ah – which can be used in mild, full and heavy duty hybrid electric vehicles going forward.
These cells offer a significant improvement in cost per kW as well as double the power density when compared to the Gen 2 32113 cell.
In addition, A123Systems began work on its USABC funded plug-in hybrid programme in March 2008 – this 20Ah cell is designed for both plug-in and range extended electric vehicle applications.
