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Mercedes has completely blown all of my suppositions to pieces with their announcement that they may be the first car company to offer a lithium ion battery powered hybrid car.
The S300, and S400 Bluetec diesels will have "mild hybrid" models available in 2009. The "mild" in front of the hybrid is exactly what it sounds like...it's a hybrid...but not much of one. The cars won't have enough electrical capacity to run on only electricity alone at any speed. Thus, a very small battery has been installed under the hood in order to attempt to capture some of the energy lost in braking, and thus modestly increasing the vehicle's already impressive fuel economy.
Because of limited amounts of space under the hood, this modification has not been possible without the use of smaller, more energy dense lithium ion batteries.
The hybrid options will be on show room floors in 2009, about the same time as the much less "mild" plug-in hybrid Saturn VUE. No matter, what, the VUE will be a more impressive advancement, but it remains to be seen which will hit the streets first.
Via AutoBlogGreen
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written by weee, September 13, 2007
getting cheaper as economies of scale kick in.
I also really like the idea of converting braking energy which is otherwise just heat which needs to be dissipated.
I also really like the idea of converting braking energy which is otherwise just heat which needs to be dissipated.
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written by karina, September 13, 2007
The "mild" in front of the hybrid is exactly what it sounds like...it's a hybrid...but not much of one. The cars won't have enough electrical capacity to run on only electricity alone at any speed.
it should be noted that most hybrids currently are "mild" technology - most notably, all honda hybrids are "mild." I'm no mild hybrid apologist (though I do love my honda insight)! but I wanted to point out that this is a very common technology decision made my car companies.
it should be noted that most hybrids currently are "mild" technology - most notably, all honda hybrids are "mild." I'm no mild hybrid apologist (though I do love my honda insight)! but I wanted to point out that this is a very common technology decision made my car companies.
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written by Anonymoso, September 16, 2007
Mild battery-based hybrids don't really capture much energy in braking. The batteries can't charge that fast - particularly small ones.
PHEVs can charge that fast, and supercapacitors can charge that fast. The next-gen lithiums... they just make it, for a few KwH.
PHEVs can charge that fast, and supercapacitors can charge that fast. The next-gen lithiums... they just make it, for a few KwH.
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Uh, I think you mean "braking".
Good article.
Also, it's important to note that the low production volume and low capacity per car will mean that traditional (cobalt-based) batteries might be an option here, even though they otherwise wouldn't be available in the volumes necessary for a larger run of stronger hybrids.