By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com
September 11, 2007
Mercedes-Benz will be the first automaker to offer consumers a hybrid vehicle powered in part by lithium ion batteries.
Mercedes plans to build a "mild hybrid" version of the S-class sedan in 2009. Details of when the car might be on sale in the U.S. are not available.
Toyota Motor Corp. had planned to equip its hybrids with the powerful lithium ion batteries but has delayed production because of safety concerns until 2010 or 2011.
Mercedes executives, speaking at the Frankfurt auto show, said the 2009 S 400 will have a mild hybrid powertrain with an electric motor that also acts as a starter-generator.
The said the batteries will be supplied by Johnson Controls-Saft, a joint venture formed last year by the U.S. interior supplier and the French battery maker, according to Mercedes executives.
Johnson Controls-Saft expects to complete a new plant to manufacture lithium ion batteries for its European customers this year. The plant is in Nersac, France.
Although the battery pack in the S 400 won't be under as much strain as batteries in a fully battery powered hybrid, engineers at Johnson Controls-Saft submitted the batteries to the same rigorous testing as those that will be used in full hybrids, according to the company.
"We're confident in our design and approach to safety management," said CEO Mary Ann Wright, who oversees the engineers designing and developing the batteries.
The hybrid version of the S 400 will be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, according to the German automaker. Mercedes also claims that the S 400 will be the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in the world.
Lithium ion batteries are still under testing and development for use in most hybrid because the batteries can overheat and catch fire. There have been numerous incidents in recent years of laptop computers and cell phones suddenly bursting into flames.
Automobile engineers are working on technology to use the lithium ion battery, however, as a replacement for the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in hybrids like the Prius now.
Lithium ion batteries are any important part of the future of plug-in hybrids that will be charged overnight with household electrical current, reducing the need to consume gasoline.
