Multiple advanced battery systems for electric vehicles

Summary form only given. Eagle-Picher Industries (EPI) has adopted a broad-based approach to the electric vehicle (EV) market by the parallel development of multiple battery systems. Nickel-iron (NiFe), nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and valve regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries are being manufactured for a variety of applications, including EVs. Silver-zinc (AgZn) batteries are being produced for both military/aerospace applications and for high performance EVs such as solar/electric race vehicles. The nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel-hydrogen (NiH/sub 2/) battery systems are being manufactured for aerospace applications and are under development for near-term EV use. Nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries have been produced in large volumes for military/aerospace applications and have been in limited use for EVs, such as the EPI electric boat which set the international water speed record. Silver-metal hydride (AgMH) batteries are also under development and may provide significant performance benefits for high performance electric race vehicles. Sodium-sulfur (NaS) batteries are in the final stages of development for aerospace applications and are also being considered for EV applications. Aerospace NaS cells have demonstrated over 150 Whr/kg, which exceeds the USABC mid-term goals.<
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