Posted by johnsoncontrols at 04:13 PM | Comments (0)

Mary Ann Wright, Chief Executive Officer, Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions

There's an interesting race going on these days between rising gas prices and battery technology, and it's easy to see who we're hoping will win: If the technology dominates, we'll be seeing cars that get up to 100 miles per gallon.

Right now gas prices appeared to be taking the lead at more than $4 a gallon.  But two recent major developments are providing a boost for lithium-ion batteries, the technology being developed by Johnson Controls-Saft that's the odds-on favorite for the next generation of electrified powertrain cars.

First, a test fleet of Ford Escape plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) was announced by the Department of Energy.  Powered by lithium-ion batteries from Johnson Controls-Saft, the demonstration fleet will initially roll out in Southern California.  The project will examine the value proposition of PHEVs as part of a complete vehicle, home and grid energy system. The fleet test is part of an ongoing collaboration among Ford, Johnson Controls-Saft, Southern California Edison (SCE) and the Electric Power Research Institute.

The 20-vehicle fleet will be tested first in California by SCE and later by other utilities in the New York/ New Jersey area, to help determine regional differences in vehicle usage and performance, as well as how PHEVs will affect the electric grid system and associated infrastructure requirements. 

PHEVs have the ability to drive an extended range on electric-only power, can significantly reduce emissions and can improve fuel economy. The first unit was delivered to California in December 2007; additional units will be on the road this summer.

Also, recently Johnson Controls-Saft was awarded an $ 8.2 million dollar, two-year contract by the United States Advanced Battery Consortium to develop Li-Ion battery system technology for both 10-mile and 40-mile range PHEVs.  The contract technology efforts will focus on tailoring the cell design, thermal management performance and system cost for the differing demands of 10- and 40-mile range applications.  External funding for this 50 percent cost-shared program is provided by the U. S. Department of Energy.

We're excited to be advancing the technology, which provides so many positive elements, including a cleaner environment, green collar jobs and best of all - hope for people who don't want to be left home because of high gas prices.