Compact Power Inc. (CPI, Monument, CO) introduced its new Gen3 lithium-ion polymer battery (LiPB) pack developed for hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) applications. The Gen3 development is the result of a $5.0 million contract between CPI and LG Chem Ltd. The Gen3 HEV cell features high power of ~2,000W/kg, a high specific energy of 95Wh/kg, and is delivered in prototype packs.
The company claims that, when commericialized, LiPB technology will pack twice the power and energy of the current industry-standard nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, and will offer a cheaper, safer and more environmentally friendly alternative. With great energy and power capacity, the LiPB battery can sustain heavy and sustained demand, allowing smaller conventional engines to perform on par with larger displacement, non-hybrid power trains.
