It is not just the car makers displaying their alternative fuel wares at the Detroit Motor Show this week. Supplier of technology solutions for the automotive industry, Johnsons Controls is also on hand to show the potential of electric cars as a clean technology solution.
In unveiling its ie:3 demonstrator vehicle, the firm debuts its next generation lithium ion battery pack. This battery is super-compact making it ideal for use in smaller electric models. The unique , self-contained system uses a prismatic cell format to to give the battery smaller dimensions, making it flat and compact enough to fit under the floor of the car.
"Consumers want all the space they enjoy in today’s vehicles, but with the peace of mind that their all electric vehicle can get them the distance they need to go," said Alex Molinaroli, president for Johnson Controls Power Solutions. "This next generation technology allows for both."
The improved spaciousness enabled by the packaging of the battery offers designers and engineers a flat floor that provides additional options to enhance overall flexibility in the vehicle. For example, the ie:3 features ‘stadium seating’ which when deployed in the front row, offers enough space to stow a suitcase despite the car’s compact dimensions.
Energy supplied by new, lithium-ion battery enables the demonstrator car to target 100-mile range per charge.
The ‘ie’ stands for ‘inspired efficiency’. The company says the technology will be adaptable to markets around the world and available by 2014 for model year 2015 vehicles.
