Nissan plans mass production of lithium ion batteries

[ByTheLake]

Nissan plans mass production of lithium ion batteries

Hans Greimel
Automotive News
May 19, 2008 - 11:25 am ET

TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co. hopes to leap-frog rivals by starting mass production of lithium ion batteries for low-emission vehicles next year as it plays catch-up in the green car race.
Initial output will be 13,000 units a year. But the company expects total production to climb to 65,000 by 2011, with the batteries going to its electric and hybrid cars.
Nissan wants to use the batteries in electric vehicles it plans to bring to the United States and Japan in 2010, as well as those eyed for use in Israel and Denmark in 2011.
Nissan aims to sell electric vehicles worldwide by 2012.


Full article here.

[johnstarnes]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

Nissan plans mass production of lithium ion batteries

Hans Greimel
Automotive News
May 19, 2008 - 11:25 am ET

TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co. hopes to leap-frog rivals by starting mass production of lithium ion batteries for low-emission vehicles next year as it plays catch-up in the green car race.
Initial output will be 13,000 units a year. But the company expects total production to climb to 65,000 by 2011, with the batteries going to its electric and hybrid cars.
Nissan wants to use the batteries in electric vehicles it plans to bring to the United States and Japan in 2010, as well as those eyed for use in Israel and Denmark in 2011.
Nissan aims to sell electric vehicles worldwide by 2012.


Full article here.

This is interesting. Plus I am hopeful about those recently announced "ultra-capacitors" that I've read can enhance even a lead-acid battery, and might even be able to replace batteries in electric cars....short recharge times, more even discharges and more I gather.

[K-1]

Let's highlight the "meat" of this article...

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

Nissan plans mass production of lithium ion batteries

Hans Greimel
Automotive News
May 19, 2008 - 11:25 am ET

TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co. hopes to leap-frog rivals by starting mass production of lithium ion batteries for low-emission vehicles next year as it plays catch-up in the green car race.
Initial output will be 13,000 units a year. But the company expects total production to climb to 65,000 by 2011, with the batteries going to its electric and hybrid cars.
Nissan wants to use the batteries in electric vehicles it plans to bring to the United States and Japan in 2010, as well as those eyed for use in Israel and Denmark in 2011.
Nissan aims to sell electric vehicles worldwide by 2012.


Full article here.

Lots of forward-looking adjectives there with nothing actually going on. Engineering by press release.

[pinyon]

I applaud Nissan for attempting to get in the game but what does it mean. Is it one battery per vehicle or do the cells have to be packaged as they are in most applications so the 65,000 doesn't mean 65,000 vehicles. And of course you still have the niche market issue. If people can't stop at a station for a fill up when the battery runs down, then full EVs will not displace hybrid or extended range EVs for general consumer use.

[monkeylizard]

One has to keep in mind that bringing an electric car to mass market is more than just building a souped up galf cart. For mass appeal, a vehicle will need to have air conditioning and heating, windshield wipers, radio, as well as reasonable performance. Much of the technology to do this completely from transportable electricity does not exist. That's why the Volt is so important as a transition vehicle until these comprehensive systems are developed. Unless Nissan has kept some amazing secrets, I doubt at this point they are prepared to make major leaps in the electric vehicle realm.

[unkillsam]

But Toyota says that Li-Ion is no good so Nissan should stick with good old ni-cads lol.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by K-1

Let's highlight the "meat" of this article...

Lots of forward-looking adjectives there with nothing actually going on. Engineering by press release.

Ghosn sounds like he's trying a bit too hard....

[EatonISgay]

Whats going on is they (they being NASA, the MAN, GM, the world, Bush, Gore, lil' green men, and Britney Spears. Ok maybe not that last one.) have known and been able to build li-ion batteries for cars probably ever since we first saw them in cell phones. The problem now is selling the lie to us. Can't come to market too quick with the ol' better mpg cars, otherwise people will get suspicious. The plan is to act like, "technological advancements and a lot of money spent on R&D has led to the exciting vehicles we're starting to see hit the market today. What an exciting time to be in the automotive business."

Lutz, feel free to borrow that.

Is this 13,000 and eventually 65,000 worldwide? Thats nothing. I could collect old cell phones and build cars like tesla and do that.

Anyone check the stock price? Wonder if they got a nice bump. Maybe Ghosn needs to cash in some options. : )

[wpageabc]

Interesting that they chose this alternate tech battery solution. Lithium ion is light in wieght. Mr Datsun must know something!