A123 Systems
A123Systems is one of the world's leading suppliers of high-power Lithium-Ion batteries. Founded in 2001, A123Systems’ proprietary nanoscale electrode technology is built on initial developments from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The company has over 1200 employees and has grown to be the #1 volume producer of nanophosphate based cells in the world.
Major investors in the company include General Electric, Alliance Capital, Sequoia Capital, North Bridge Venture Partners, CMEA Ventures, FA Technology Ventures, OnPoint, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Motorola, Qualcomm, and Procter & Gamble, through its Duracell division.
History
In November 2005, A123Systems announced[1] a new higher power, faster recharging lithium ion battery system[2][3] based on doped Nanophosphate materials licensed from MIT.
The company mass produces a variety of cells being used in DeWalt power tools, aviation engine start, hybrid buses, hybrid vehicles, EV's and PHEV conversions.
In December 2006, A123Systems was awarded a $15 million development contract by the United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC), an organization composed of DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation. USABC awarded the contract in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to optimize the A123Systems proprietary doped Nanophosphate battery technology for hybrid electric vehicle applications with a focus on systems that are high-power, abuse-tolerant, long lasting and cost effective.
On February 26 2007, President of A123Systems David Vieau met with President George W. Bush and Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman at the White House to inspect a Battery Range Extender Module that can be easily installed in the spare tire well of most hybrid vehicles. This would enable current production models to become plug-in hybrids capable of achieving 150 or more miles per gallon and optionally replace the discharged battery in the module, instead of recharging it, to extend the range.
On May 2007, BAE Systems announced that, starting in 2008, it will offer A123's lithium ion battery technology as part of its HybriDrive Propulsion System used in the 2008 version of the Daimler Orion VII hybrid buses.
On August 2007, General Motors announced plans to Co-Develop Lithium-Ion Battery Cell for Chevrolet Volt with A123Systems
Uses
There are a number of companies using A123Systems high power batteries including:
Power Tools
Black & Decker is currently using batteries made by A123Systems in its VPX product line.
Dewalt uses A123Systems batteries in its professional heavy-duty power tools. The 36-volt power tools provide users with increased levels of power and runtime, at a similar or less weight than their corded counterparts. The line includes a hammerdrill, reciprocating saw, circular saw, impact wrench, rotary hammer, jigsaw, flashlight and combo kits. The cells are also used in the company's 28V professional product line as well as the newly introduced 18V NANO powertools which offers a large number of compatible tools.
The number of batteries A123Systems currently manufactures for use in power tools is equivalent to more than 100,000 hybrid vehicles.
Vehicles
A123Systems cells have garnered considerable interest in the automotive market due to their unique combination of power, safety and life. Several automakers and heavy duty vehicle manufacturers are developing vehicles using A123Systems cells.
- Killacycle, the worlds quickest EV capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h (0-60MPH) in less than 1 second.
- Chevrolet Volt
- Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid development program
- Daimler Commercial Buses of North America (Orion VII). The number one selling Hybrid bus in the world. Currently operating in New York, San Francisco, Toronto, Dallas and other major cities.
- Venture Vehicles VentureOne
- Th!nk
See also
- Chevrolet Volt
- FreedomCAR
- Hybrids Plus, first PHEV conversion company to use A123 cells
- Hymotion, PHEV company owned by A123 Systems
- Silicon Valley Leadership Group