Greentech Lead America: XL Hybrids, developer of a
low-cost hybrid electric powertrain, announced a supply agreement with Johnson
Controls, the manufacturer of advanced batteries for start-stop, hybrid and
electric vehicles. As per the agreement, Johnson Controls will supply complete
advanced Lithium-Ion battery packs constructed of high-power, spiral wound
Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum (NCA) cells.
The battery pack has 1.8 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy
storage, a peak discharge power rating of 50 kW and a nominal voltage of 260V.
XL Hybrids will use this battery pack for light duty commercial vehicles
including the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans. The vehicles will be
available at markets in 2013.
The battery pack will be fully developed at Johnson
Controls’ Lithium-Ion manufacturing facility in Holland, Mich.
XL Hybrids’ hybrid electric powertrain integrates
seamlessly with the original equipment manufacturers’ engine and transmission.
By integrating Johnson Controls’ Lithium-Ion battery packs, the system is
capable of reducing fuel consumption by up to 21 percent on urban routes.
“Our agreement with Johnson Controls, one of the
largest automotive suppliers in the world, gives our team and customers
confidence in the performance and quality of such a critical component as the
energy storage system. Purchasing a battery pack manufactured in the USA was an
additional bonus as we are committed to supporting domestic production,” said
Clay Siegert, co-founder and vice president of supply chain at XL Hybrids.
Johnson Controls to start production at Florence recycling
center
Johnson Controls recently said it will start production
at its fully integrated automotive battery recycling center in Florence, S.C.,
this summer. Johnson Controls started the construction of the Florence
Recycling Center in 2011 after receiving an air permit from South Carolina
Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).