Major electronics manufacturer Toshiba has partnered with Mitsubishi Motors to develop the "super-charge ion battery," SCiB rechargeable lithium-ion battery for electric vehicles which can charge to 90% capacity in 5 minutes. The life cycle of the new battery is more than 10 years - ie the life of the vehicle - even if it is rapidly charged and discharged many times. The battery is also safer than some earlier types of lithium ion batteries, which are potential fire hazards.
Toshiba has developed what it describes as a new original anode material and a new electrolyte that enhances both safety and rapid recharging and discharging. Lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12) is used as a negative electrode material with electrolyte with a high flash point and a separator with a high heat resistance. Several other companies now deliver lithium ion batteries with titanate anodes to improve performance. The all important cathode is a lithium manganese compound for Toshiba, possibly a spinel. Because of the anode and separator features, a thermal runaway is less likely to occur in case of an internal short-circuit, so the risks of burst and combustion are reduced, Toshiba said.
Toshiba notes that the long life of the SCiB will promote reduction in the waste that results from battery replacement. By 2008, Toshiba was making 150,000 of these cells a month, mostly for electric bicycles. It was then designed into an electric motorcycle and then as part of the power storage in a microgrid system for industrial applications.
Probable supply to Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Motors is exchanging information on electric vehicle batteries with Toshiba, but could not comment on whether Toshiba will supply it with batteries. A Mitsubishi spokesman said the company has also held talks with other potential suppliers. However, the Nikkei reported that Toshiba will supply lithium ion batteries for an electric vehicle that Mitsubishi Motors plans to roll out in the near future. The newspaper also said Mitsubishi's French partner, PSA Peugeot-Citroen (UG.FR), is expected to procure Toshiba batteries through Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi has already been developing electric-vehicle batteries with GS Yuasa Corp.
"For auto makers, the common stance is to secure at least two battery suppliers," says Mizuho Investors Securities analyst Ryoichi Saito. "That would help lower procurement costs, and also it's good to have a back-up option when anything goes wrong with one supplier."
He added that, as electric vehicles become more common, auto makers will typically seek different suppliers for different types of cars, such as commercial and passenger vehicles."~
Toshiba plans to produce SCiB batteries for electric cars and other industrial applications at its new Kashiwazaki plant in northern Japan, starting production next year at its Kashiwazaki operations, a new facility in the Niigata prefecture.
It started with e-bikes
Cannondale Sports Group was an early user of the Toshiba quick-charging lithium ion battery on its electric bicycle three years ago. This version is made up of ten battery cells connected in series.
Cannondale e-bike with Toshiba battery
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