Sorry, We're Out: Shortage of Hybrids Relates to Battery Shortage

So you're finally nestled into a cramped but adequate seat after a ten-hour flight delay in Denver. This, after a ten-day business trip. Your greatest wish at this point is to sit back, listen to some music and return to the comforts of home. The magic button reclines your seat at a finger's request, you snuggle into the extra pillows already delivered by the accommodating flight attendant and start up your MP3 player, expecting the genius of Bach, only to find...silence. "What? What's happening here?" you ask, prying your eyes open and jiggling the offending apparatus. You give it the customary, utterly useless smack across the top. At long last, you open the battery compartment to find it...empty.

Auto manufacturers can sympathize. It turns out the shortage of certain hybrid cars these days is related to finding batteries. According to a magazine article, automakers have been experiencing an acute shortage of what is commonly referred to in the industry as "NiMH" batteries or the rechargeable batteries on which most hybrids depend. Sales of the top-selling hybrid actually dropped in May not due to lack of demand but because the automaker simply ran out of vehicles to sell. Automakers across the board are experiencing similar problems. At least one automaker may even go so far as to negotiate the purchase of a major battery subsidiary.

Hybrid sales are only expected to increase. Major automakers are adjusting production to add shifts for the production of smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. More production changes appear to be on the horizon to meet the demand of citizens eager for fuel efficiency in their vehicles.

Battery production solutions are being sought, such as increasing the types of batteries capable of powering hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs). Currently, the market is limited to two classifications of batteries capable of running HEVs: NiMH batteries and those with a chemical slurry of nickel metal hydride. In the future, however, lithium-ion batteries could also potentially run HEVs, thereby adding flexibility and increasing battery production opportunities.

Lithium-ion batteries have been around for some time. Most people are probably more familiar with their smaller versions. They're often seen in laptops, electronic equipment and rechargeable battery kits designed for the average consumer. Lithium-ion batteries are not only more powerful, but, for the larger applications, they're also lighter and smaller than their counterparts.

A major Japanese manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries has recently claimed to have produced a model with an output density of 3,500 watts per kilogram and 3.7 volts. That's about twice the density output of NiMH batteries and three times the voltage. More power equals fewer cells. Fewer cells equals less weight and less room. Less weight and less room equals even higher fuel economy.

The Japanese company, now teaming up with a European automaker to produce next-generation lithium-ion batteries predicts global sales of hybrids to reach three million per year by 2010. Provided the batteries are feasible, this could be a great boost to companies producing popular HEV models, as well as those looking to develop even more advanced versions.

Current hybrid models are designed for NiMH batteries, not lithium-ion batteries, however. Automakers will work to meet yet another challenge when it comes to equipping their vehicles for this "next generation." Battery pack manufacturers for the auto industry are beginning to produce lithium-ion vehicle battery pack systems. The best of them have reusable building block technologies, can accommodate a range of voltages, have systems that maintain the health of the battery cells and are applicable to mild hybrids, full hybrids or electric vehicles. These battery packs may make more efficient vehicles available in the hybrid market very soon.

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