meeting report

63rd International Motor Show

Frankfurt, Germany

September 17-27, 2009

• by Franz J. Kruger
• Senior Vice President, PowerGenix
• San Diego, California

Better fuel-efficient cars, hybrid electric vehicles, full electric vehicles driven by batteries and/or fuel cells were the main attraction of this biennial show in Frankfurt. This time, not a single mass producer missed the chance to exhibit their latest designs of low emission and electric vehicles, demonstrating that the industry is now seriously pursuing alternative propulsion systems as a viable solution for sustained future mobility. For the battery industry, that means: Good news!!!

Here are — in my opinion — the most prominent exhibitions:

Audi

Audi's new all electric e-Tron sports car, on the basis of their famous R8, was probably the most attractive electric car of the show. With its four electric hub motors (313hp) and a 53kWh liquid-cooled Li-ion battery (400V/20Ah prismatic cells, total weight: 470kg), the car accelerates in 4.8s to 100km/h. The top speed is limited to 200km/h and its maximum driving range is approximately 250km. Although still a concept design, Audi has taken a holistic approach to address all aspects of making a highly efficient electric vehicle, knowing that there is still a long way to go before this car will become commercially available. Audi is also working on a Q7 and a Q5 hybrid by leapfrogging NiMH and going directly to Li-ion batteries.

BMW

BMW presented three new hybrid electric vehicles: the ActiveHybrid X6 with NiMH (Cobasys) and the ActiveHybrid 7 with Li-ion batteries. Their highlight is the Vision Efficiency Dynamics concept car with its 1.5-liter diesel engine, two electric motors and a Li-ion polymer battery, gives the vehicle the performance of a super sports car (356 hp) with a range of 700km and a consumption of only 3.8L diesel per 100km. Electric only range is 50km.

Mercedes Benz

With the S 400 Hybrid which can be ordered since June, Mercedes showed the first commercial hybrid vehicle using a Li-ion battery. The 140V/6Ah battery consists of 35 round cells (NiCoAl oxide chemistry) and is supplied by the SAFT-JCI jont venture company. The ruggedized battery housing has an integrated liquid cooling system and, according to Mercedes, can withstand all necessary crash tests by passing with a UCAR 4 rating (no fire).

Their concept plug-in hybrid car, Vision S 500, was introduced as the "first three-liter car in the premium class with only 74g of CO2 per km. The 60hp hybrid unit is equipped with a 10kWh Li-ion battery, giving the car a pure electric range of 30km and a total range of 600km.

Mercedes also showed a fuel cell car based on the B class (B-Class F-Cell) supported by a Li-ion battery, giving the car a 400km range before hydrogen has to be refilled.

The Mercedes-owned Smart group presented the E-Smart with a Li-ion battery from Tesla (13.4 kWh, 2000 18650 cells connected in series and parallel strings) with a range of 135km. Production will start by November 2009 at their Hambach plant in France.

Volkswagen

VW showed their sensational and futuristic looking two-seater concept hybrid vehicle L1, consuming only 1.49 l diesel per 100 km. Its power train comprises a 0.8 l /28hp diesel engine combined with a 14hp electric motor and a Li-ion battery. This traction principle will be the basis for all their future BlueMotion-Models from 2011 onward.

With the E-Up, a full electric compact vehicle (3 plus 1 seats, 135km range) driven by a 82hp electric motor and a Li-ion battery, VW is aiming for the future EV mass market, starting production in 2013.

VW gets their present Li-ion batteries from Sanyo. They also have agreements with Toshiba and BYD. Lately they announced to form a joint venture with Varta Microbattery to develop advanced Li-ion batteries in Germany.

Renault

The French automaker shocked the industry with four full electric vehicles to be launched by 2011 and all equipped with Li-ion batteries.

Fluence Z.E. This is the electric version of the five seat Fluence sedan with a range of 160km. The primary target is to supply Better Place in Israel and Denmark.

Zoe Z.E. This is a four-seat super mini with scissor doors at the front and butterfly doors at the rear. Powered by a 93hp electric motor the range is 160km.

Twizy Z.E. A 1+1 seat (tandem) city car with a 15kW electric motor and a torque of 70Nm is comparable to the performance of a 125cc motorbike.

Kangoo Z.E. Electric van with 70kW, 226Nm torque and a hatch-type rear door designed for commercial use.

Peugot/Citroen

The Peugot Ion is a 64hp electric car with a range of 128km, was jointly developed with Mitsubishi and is based on the iMiEV, which was already launched in Japan in June. They will start production in October 2009.

Toyota

Apart from the already introduced third generation Prius, which still uses a NiMH battery due to cost reasons, they presented now a plug-in version with a Li-ion battery. The advanced Li-ion battery can be charged in 90 minutes. The electric-only range is 20km at speeds up to 100km/h. Toyota plans to evaluate the plug-in Prius by next year in a global lease program involving more than 500 cars.

Hyundai

Hyundai presented the i10 Electric with a 65hp electric motor and a 16kWh Li-ion polymer battery that can be charged to 85% within 15 minutes at a 415V outlet. Charging with a 220V household outlet takes five hours and gives a range of 160km.

Tesla

Tesla, with their debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show, presented their electric Roadster and their new Model S with up to seven seats. The Model S is designed for a range of up to 480km with a quick charge capability within 45 minutes. Tesla took reservations for the Model S for a down payment of Euro 4000.

SB Li Motive

The Samsung-Bosch joint venture was found to have full control of Li-ion systems' development and production for cells and complete battery packs. Samsung is in charge of developing the cells whereas Bosch carries out the system and pack development in Stuttgart, Germany. At present they are aiming at a 6Ah high rate prismatic and a 20Ah high energy cell based on a NiCoMn chemistry. Bosch is poised to supply complete power trains to their OEM customers.

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