Battery maker A123 has announced that batteries it supplied to Fisker Automotive for its Karma range-extended luxury sedan might have "misaligned" hose clamps for the cooling system, which could cause coolant to leak. Unabated, A123 admits the leak could cause an electrical short-circuit.
A123 Systems has had to lay off 125 employees at two Michigan locations because of Fisker's lengthy delay getting the Karma luxury plug-in hybrid to market. That's the bad news. The potentially good news is that the layoffs may be temporary. Even though Fisker has reduced its 2011 Karma orders to 1,500 units from 7,000, once Fisker is back on track to reach its stated goal of selling 15,000 vehicl
A123 Systems says it currently has over 20 lithium-ion battery contracts in the works. Of those, A123 says ten of the transportation-related li-ion deals have already entered the production phase and that its "sourced" and "development" contracts call for A123 to eventually manufacture lithium-ion batteries at some as-of-yet-undisclosed date.
It hasn't been easy for many aspiring EV builders to get A123's lithium cells for their projects, but a new deal struck by the battery maker and Mavizen may change that. The TTXGP-affiliated electric motorcycle maker has reached an agreement that will see them distributing their Domenick Yoney
A123 Systems is looking to cash in on the emerging stop/start hybrid market with its 12V Nanophosphate lithium-ion battery. Compared to typical lead-acid AGM batteries, A123 says that its li-ion units offer enhanced charge acceptance, which reduces the load on the vehicle's alternator and engine, leading to improved fuel economy. In addition, Jeff Kessen, A123's vice president of automotive marketing and communication, claims that the firm's 12V li-ion battery weighs 60 percent less than a lead-
The United States Advanced Battery Consortium LLC (USABC), a research collaboration between Chrysler Group, Ford Motor and General Motors, has awarded A123 Systems an $8 million, 24-month contract, which the firm will use to continue its quest to develop its patented Nanophosphate lithium-ion battery systems. A123 Systems touts its Nanophosphate
A "major" North American automaker has turned to A123 Systems to supply lithium-ion battery packs for a pure-electric vehicle that's expected to hit showrooms in 2013. A123 chief executive officer David Vieau told the Boston Business Journal that:
You may not be able to buy a Fisker Karma just yet, but thanks to MIT you may learn a little bit more about the plug-in's battery life. Back in January 2010, it was announced that the Karma would be using batteries supplied by A123 Systems, which just happens to be an MIT spinoff company. The MIT Electric Vehicle Team is using these A
A123 Systems, a Massachusetts-based lithium-ion battery manufacturer, has announced that its chief financial officer and vice president of finance and administration, Michael Rubino, will step down from his position and part ways with the company effective January 2011. A123 Systems has already launched a search for a successor capable of handling Rubino's duties.
Massachusetts-based A123 Systems has inked a deal to develop lithium-ion battery packs for an upcoming electric passenger vehicle built by China's largest automaker, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). The vehicle, expected to launch sometime in 2012, will likely be a Chinese-market only offering. A123 System's vice president, Jason Forcier, told Bloomberg that the SAIC vehicle will have a range of 100 miles on a full charge.
An undisclosed, established European automaker has enlisted the expertise of UK-based lithium-ion systems supplier Axeon, the assistance of leading UK engineering firm Ricardo and the battery know-how of A123 Systems for collaboration on an upcoming plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV). The trio, along with assistance from that unnamed European automaker, will develop and integrate an advanced, lightweight battery pack that utili
Coda Sedan – Click above for high-res image gallery
U.S.-based plug-in vehicle producers and battery makers are faced with a problem of epic proportions. A recent report released by the subscription news service ClimateWire suggests that U.S.-made electric cars – and the associated high-tech li-ion batteries produced on U.S. soil – face a maze of export restrictions that will force many of the companies to set up shop abroad.
A123 Systems had a tough second quarter with an increased loss and the loss of potential business with Chrysler. A123 had been named by Chrysler as its electric vehicle battery supplier early in 2009. Unfortunately, Chrysler's ENVI division was dissolved late last year following the company's bankruptcy process and Sam Abuelsamid
Electric vehicle infrastructure provider Better Place has concluded a three-month field test in Tokyo to prove its battery swapping technology works as promised. In cooperation with Nissan and battery supplier A123 System, three Rogue crossovers were converted to electric drive and given replaceable batteries. The battery-powered Rogue
