VANCOUVER, December 5, 2007 (GLOBE-Net) –Exxon Mobil Corp., the largest oil company in the United States, has developed a technology that may help the automotive industry switch to lighter, more efficient lithium batteries and open the door to the next generation of hybrid and electric vehicles.
ExxonMobil and Japanese affiliate, Tonen Chemical, have developed a thin film separator that will allow lithium batteries large enough for an automobile to be produced without overheating.
“By developing new film technologies that allow lithium-ion batteries to meet hybrid and electric vehicle requirements, ExxonMobil Chemical is helping to make next generation vehicles more energy and cost efficient, as well as lighter,” said Jim P. Harris, senior vice president, ExxonMobil Chemical Company.
Currently, nickel hydride batteries are widely used in automobiles, while lithium batteries remain small and primarily used in consumer electronics. Although nickel hydride batteries are not as cost effective, efficient or light as heir lithium counterparts, lithium batteries of a size adequate for automobiles easily overheat and can catch on fire.
Separators, which exist in all lithium batteries, insulate the anode from the cathode through the centre of the battery to prevent overheating. As lithium batteries become larger, without adding sufficient insulation, the heat generated between the anode and cathode can overcome the separator.
This has prevented lithium batteries from replacing nickel hydride in vehicles and in turn prevented the development of more cost effective and efficient hybrids, thereby stalling the release of a fully electric plug-in car.
Unlike earlier gasoline-electric hybrids, which run on a system of twin batteries and a combustion engine, plug-ins are zero emission and optimally designed for short commutes. Powered entirely by an electric motor and a battery charged through a socket at home, the operation of these vehicles does not contribute to GHG emissions.
Major cities that experience some of the highest vehicle-related emissions levels in the world would benefit greatly from the growth of the plug-in technology market.
Exxon, a company that in the past was criticized for ignoring the urgency of climate change, believes its innovative battery technology may be a major breakthrough in mitigating the crisis. Exxon is demonstrating that even one of the world’s largest oil companies can do its part to reduce a dependence on fossil fuels.
Automobile manufacturers are all ready planning to launch fully electric vehicles, The Chevrolet Volt from General Motors is to be released by the end of 2010. The new technology from Exxon may prompt a more rapid and wider release from other manufacturers.
ExxonMobil Chemical will present the new film technologies at the 23rd Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition (EVS-23) in Anaheim, Calif. on December 2-5, 2007.
The AutoFuture Tech Summit 2008, which takes place in tandem with the Globe 2008 International Trade Fair in Vancouver, BC, will feature speakers and exhibits on lithium batteries and hybrid cars. The economic, social and environmental potential of plug-in vehicles and the impacts these will have on the future of the automobile industry will be explored at AutoFuture Tech.
ExxonMobil and Japanese affiliate, Tonen Chemical, have developed a thin film separator that will allow lithium batteries large enough for an automobile to be produced without overheating.
“By developing new film technologies that allow lithium-ion batteries to meet hybrid and electric vehicle requirements, ExxonMobil Chemical is helping to make next generation vehicles more energy and cost efficient, as well as lighter,” said Jim P. Harris, senior vice president, ExxonMobil Chemical Company.
Currently, nickel hydride batteries are widely used in automobiles, while lithium batteries remain small and primarily used in consumer electronics. Although nickel hydride batteries are not as cost effective, efficient or light as heir lithium counterparts, lithium batteries of a size adequate for automobiles easily overheat and can catch on fire.
Separators, which exist in all lithium batteries, insulate the anode from the cathode through the centre of the battery to prevent overheating. As lithium batteries become larger, without adding sufficient insulation, the heat generated between the anode and cathode can overcome the separator.
This has prevented lithium batteries from replacing nickel hydride in vehicles and in turn prevented the development of more cost effective and efficient hybrids, thereby stalling the release of a fully electric plug-in car.
Unlike earlier gasoline-electric hybrids, which run on a system of twin batteries and a combustion engine, plug-ins are zero emission and optimally designed for short commutes. Powered entirely by an electric motor and a battery charged through a socket at home, the operation of these vehicles does not contribute to GHG emissions.
Major cities that experience some of the highest vehicle-related emissions levels in the world would benefit greatly from the growth of the plug-in technology market.
Exxon, a company that in the past was criticized for ignoring the urgency of climate change, believes its innovative battery technology may be a major breakthrough in mitigating the crisis. Exxon is demonstrating that even one of the world’s largest oil companies can do its part to reduce a dependence on fossil fuels.
Automobile manufacturers are all ready planning to launch fully electric vehicles, The Chevrolet Volt from General Motors is to be released by the end of 2010. The new technology from Exxon may prompt a more rapid and wider release from other manufacturers.
ExxonMobil Chemical will present the new film technologies at the 23rd Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition (EVS-23) in Anaheim, Calif. on December 2-5, 2007.
The AutoFuture Tech Summit 2008, which takes place in tandem with the Globe 2008 International Trade Fair in Vancouver, BC, will feature speakers and exhibits on lithium batteries and hybrid cars. The economic, social and environmental potential of plug-in vehicles and the impacts these will have on the future of the automobile industry will be explored at AutoFuture Tech.
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