News

Lithium Technology and GAIA Ship 42V Prototype

September 16, 2002 by Jeff Shepard

Lithium Technology Corp. (Plymouth Meeting, PA) and GAIA Akkumulatorenwerke GmbH (Nordhausen, Germany) announced that they have completed and shipped a first prototype 42V automotive battery to BMW AG (Frankfurt, Germany). The prototype battery, which is now undergoing testing in Europe, delivers 7kW to 8kW of power at ambient temperatures, with a capacity of 27Ah, a pulse-power capability of up to 6kW for starting at an operating temperature of 25 degrees C, and an estimated life of eight years.

The new prototype battery consists of unique flat cells housed in a standard European automotive battery casing, with a battery-management system. The battery life, weight and performance compare with competitive lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride systems. The battery is designed to meet the 42V battery specifications of the European-Union-sponsored Astor program.