[danwaterloo]

There has been some speculation in the post threads that GM is more excited about A123 batteries. I wonder what the difference in the batteries is. Lutz has said that both batteries have extreme strengths and some weaknesses. Does anyone have any idea what they would be?

I am quite ignorant about anything scientific, but I have a feeling that the A123 chemistry has a higher potential than the CPI ones. However, CPI may have higher production capacity and perhaps a lower short-term cost. I say this because a lot of the talk about A123 has been a revolutionary improvement in lithium battery technology. Maybe CPI, being lower-tech is cheaper and easier to make. I base that on CPI having their batteries sent to GM sooner.

I could be completely off-base in my speculation so I want to hear what others think.

 

[Rooster]

A123 may be new to the automotive battery scene, but not to Li Ion batteries. They currently mass produce batteries (slightly different chemistry, see the website for more information) for hand held power tools - so they have experience mass producing Li Ion batteries cells. In fact, if you look at the company news, they awarded a contract to build an automotive battery production facility.

In my opinion, A123's battery technology is superior, I predict they will win the competion.

 

[voltman]

I think that much more information is available about A123. I have read the RC Airplane forums and they rave about the A123 batteries as they are VERY powerful. They can charge in 10-15 minues and release the stored energy very quickly. They are perfectly suited to a drag race type vehicle (see the killacycle).

A car is more about energy density however, I am not sure which has the better of it. The LG chem battery has very good thermal performance if I recall correctly.

The race may come down to cost and who can ramp up faster.

 

[Koz]

GM wasn't concerned in the least about either at the meeting. They were VERY confident that both can meet production without difficulty.