View Full Version : A123 Nanophosphate vs Altairnano Nanosafe
A report that compares the two (http://www.science.uwaterloo.ca/WWSEF/07Awards/2007ReportGerwinAndrew.pdf)
President Bush checks them out (http://www.evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=1199)
Kardax
06-27-2007, 01:10 PM
That report places way too much emphasis on power output. Current mass-produced lithium ion batteries have sufficient power output, as evidenced by the Tesla Roadster.
The only thing that really differentiates A123/AltairNano from standard lithium ion for EV purposes is charge time. My bet is that home users will want range, enough to make it to the next hotel on their road trip, and will be perfectly happy with overnight charging. Commercial vehicles, taxis especially, will need quick charge so they can be on the road as much as possible.
On the other hand, racing EVs will need higher power output and more abuse-tolerant batteries, but this isn't a big market.
I think what will happen is all the different formats will ultimately play to their strengths, and all will find a place they do very well :)
-Ryan / Kardax
The only thing that really differentiates A123/AltairNano from standard lithium ion for EV purposes is charge time.
Don't forget that the Tesla solution involves extreme safety measures because of the risks of battery fire with the laptop technology.
The A123 & Altair solutions make it a lot easier to include Li-Ion batteries without the need for so much temperature management and safety containment systems.
Kardax
06-28-2007, 10:04 AM
That's true.
Tesla knows it's not easy to make an ESS, and all the patents they have on it effectively means only Tesla (and those they deem worthy) get to use it. Small EV makers don't have many choices these days.
I'm a little surprised there aren't more A123-based EVs out there. That technology is already in mass production (for use by power drills and such), and has been proven effective by the "KillaCycle"... makes me wonder why its not more popular.
-Ryan / Kardax
They are showing up in PHEVs (like add on packs for Prius).
A123 announces PHEV auto-class battery system (http://tyler.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2007/5/16/2953846.html)
Hybrids-Plus Displays PHEV with A123 Batteries (http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/523.html)
A123Systems Battery Co Acquires Hymotion Conversion Co (http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/757.html)
A123Systems Reveals 2008 Conversion Plans (http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/753.html)
WSJ: Toyota Prius fitted with A123 Systems' lithium-ion batteries (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117642662763068592.html)
A123 Systems Announces "Battery Range Extender Modules" Strategy (http://www.calcars.org/calcars-news/701.html)