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Panasonic develops stronger batteries
By Yuri Kageyama |
December 26, 2009, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PANASONIC Corp has developed more powerful batteries for use in everything from laptops to electric vehicles, the Japanese electronics maker said yesterday.
The new lithium-ion batteries are 20 percent to 30 percent more powerful than current batteries, according to Osaka-based Panasonic.
They can raise the cruising range of electric vehicles on a single charge from 200 kilometers to about 270 kilometers, it said.
Major auto makers globally are developing electric and plug-in vehicles, intensifying the race to produce better lithium-ion batteries. Demand is expected to grow for their use in such vehicles, not just laptops and other gadgets.
Panasonic has a joint venture with Toyota Motor Corp that supplies batteries for hybrid cars, including the Prius, and plug-in models.
But Panasonic said it was in talks with about 10 auto makers to supply the new battery, underlining the breakdown of such tie-ups involving batteries for green autos.
Panasonic has also just taken majority control of Japanese rival Sanyo Electric Co, which also boasts lithium-ion battery technology. Sanyo supplies batteries to Volkswagen AG of Germany.
With fears growing about global warming, Panasonic is banking on the efforts of governments, including the United States and Europe, to curb emissions.
The new government of Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2020.
Panasonic said it had developed a better safety technology with its batteries that prevents overheating, a relatively common problem with lithium-ion batteries.
The new lithium-ion batteries are 20 percent to 30 percent more powerful than current batteries, according to Osaka-based Panasonic.
They can raise the cruising range of electric vehicles on a single charge from 200 kilometers to about 270 kilometers, it said.
Major auto makers globally are developing electric and plug-in vehicles, intensifying the race to produce better lithium-ion batteries. Demand is expected to grow for their use in such vehicles, not just laptops and other gadgets.
Panasonic has a joint venture with Toyota Motor Corp that supplies batteries for hybrid cars, including the Prius, and plug-in models.
But Panasonic said it was in talks with about 10 auto makers to supply the new battery, underlining the breakdown of such tie-ups involving batteries for green autos.
Panasonic has also just taken majority control of Japanese rival Sanyo Electric Co, which also boasts lithium-ion battery technology. Sanyo supplies batteries to Volkswagen AG of Germany.
With fears growing about global warming, Panasonic is banking on the efforts of governments, including the United States and Europe, to curb emissions.
The new government of Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 1990 levels by 2020.
Panasonic said it had developed a better safety technology with its batteries that prevents overheating, a relatively common problem with lithium-ion batteries.
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