Lithium Technology, Innosys complete electric car conversion

Lithium Technology Corporation said it partnered with Innosys Engineering to convert a four-passenger Daihatsu Cuore into an electric car using lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries and a three-phase asynchronous electric motor.

The battery, built with cells manufactured by LTC subsidiary GAIA, has a capacity of 25 kWh and an approximate highway range of 180 km to 200 km (100 to125 miles) at 90 to 100km/hr (56 to 60 mph). Lithium Technology executive vice president and GAIA managing director Klaus Brandt said those results are similar to the expected performance of GM’s Volt.

Advances in Li-Ion technology have helped make hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) a viable alternative to traditional fuel-powered automotives for the near future, according to Brandt. “There has been a change of mindset within the car industry over the past two years triggered by the success the Japanese have had with the HEV,” he said.

“Price is the biggest factor holding back the production of these more environmentally friendly, fuel efficient vehicles,” Brandt continued. “By committing to work together, the auto manufactures and battery companies can bring the cost down and make cars like the Volt an affordable reality for the consumer.”