NiZn Batteries in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

PowerGenix's nickel-zinc technologies offer many compelling benefits for use in hybrid electric vehicles and other mobility applications. Nickel-zinc offers the high-power, high-cycle life and required energy density to meet the high torque and discharge demands of many of these vehicles at cost effective performance levels. Nickel-zinc also performs very well at both high and low temperatures, a key performance requirement for HEV's. Just as importantly, nickel-zinc is extremely safe, environmentally clean, and recyclable without any special handling needs.

Performance and cost aspects of nickel-zinc technology that compare very favorably to battery technologies used in HEV's today, or being considered for future use in HEV's include:

• Nickel-zinc technology offers more energy density than the nickel metal hydride batteries being used in HEV's today, providing for up to a 40% smaller and lighter battery—very attractive dynamics for HEV applications.
• Nickel-zinc battery solutions for an HEV are less expensive than nickel metal hydride because they require 35% fewer cells, and the materials used in a nickel-zinc battery are less expensive than those used in a nickel metal hydride battery.
• Expensive safety power control systems and manufacturing processes required by lithium-ion batteries are not necessary for a nickel-zinc battery, making a nickel-zinc about 1/2 the cost per watt hour of a lithium-ion battery.
• The materials used in a nickel-zinc battery are not combustible, so they can not explode, making them inherently much safer than a lithium-ion battery.

PowerGenix intends to exploit the nickel-zinc price/performance, form and safety advantages for HEV and other light weight mobility applications. We are currently testing nickel-zinc D cells for use in smaller mobility applications such as scooters and power-assisted bikes. We are also seeking strategic partners to develop the D cell and larger format NiZn batteries for use in HEVs as an alternative to nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion technologies.

NiZn Prius Pack vs. industry standard NiMH Prius Pack Comparison