Johnson Controls-Saft JV awarded $8.2 million contract;

>    Two-year project will focus on plug-in hybrid technology

>       The United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC), with funding

>    from the U.S. Department of Energy, has awarded Johnson Controls-Saft a

>    contract valued at US$8.2 million.

>       Johnson Controls-Saft is a joint venture that has brought together

>    Johnson Controls – the world’s leading supplier of automotive batteries

>    and a company deeply experienced in integrated automotive systems

>    solutions – with Saft, an advanced energy storage solutions provider

>    with extensive lithium-ion battery expertise.

>       The contract will focus on the development of lithium-ion battery

>    systems for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and over the

course

>    of two years will seek to validate the commercial feasibility of

>    lithium-ion technology for mass market PHEVs.

>       “We are working on the development of the complete PHEV system,

which

>    includes high energy capacity cells, battery management electronics,

>    control software and an efficient thermal management system, all

>    optimally packaged for safety and efficient integration into the

>    Controls’ hybrid battery business. “Specifically, key goals for this

>    PHEV contract are to optimize cell and battery system design for

10-mile

>       USABC, whose members are Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, awarded

>    and 40-mile electric range vehicles.”

>    Johnson Controls-Saft a similar contract in 2006 focused on developing

>    lithium-ion battery systems for hybrid-electric vehicles. USABC is one

>    of several technology development consortia of the United States

Council

>    for Automotive Research (USCAR).

>       “Lithium-ion technology has the potential to dramatically change the

>    personal transportation landscape for consumers,” said Don Walkowicz,

>    executive director of USCAR. “It can support multiple powertrain

>    technologies, from PHEVs to fuel cell vehicles. The Johnson

>    Controls-Saft contract is part of USABC’s broad battery technology

>    research and development program and is important to advancing

news

release

>    sustainable transportation solutions worldwide.” (Johnson Controls-Saft

>    vehicle,” said Mary Ann Wright, who leads the Johnson Controls-Saft

>    joint venture and is vice president and general manager for Johnson

Chevrolet is coming out with the "Volt".  It will be out in a year or so.  It is a plug in electric hybrid.  That means you plug it in at night, then drive up to 40 miles from the batteries alone.  After that a gas engine kicks in to operate a generator and charge the batteries.  The power to the wheels is always electric.