High performance Li-ion cathodes using nanoporous spheres of lithium iron phosphate

A team at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) synthesized micron-sized, three dimensional (3D) nanoporous spherical LiFePO₄/C cathode materials for Li-ion batteries that exhibit excellent cyclability and superior rate capability.

Click to enlarge.

In a paper published in the RSC journal Energy & Environmental Science, they report capacities as high as 123 mAh/g and 106 mAh/g at 10 C and 20 C respectively. The 3D conductive carbon coating and interconnected pore networks facilitate the kinetics of both electron transport and lithium ion diffusion within the particles.

The method used—spray pyrolysis—is inexpensive, fast, and scalable.

Source: Green Car Congress

Introducing the Audi A5 e-tron quattro plug-in

Audi A5 e-tron prototype – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi is backing up its goal of dominating the premium electric vehicle segment by 2020 with a new e-tron prototype. This plug-in hybrid, based on the A5 Coupe, is packed with all the technological wizardry you would expect of a premium-segment prototype, and even has some features you might not expect, like the 'through-the-road' drivetrain setup that takes advantage of the large plug-in battery to power all four wheels.

At the front axle, the drivetrain has a conventional power-split hybrid setup, consisting of a compact 33 kilowatt (45 hp) electric motor and 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged gas engine. The engine alone packs 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Moving to the back of the car is where things get interesting. Ditching a conventionally heavy all-wheel-drive setup, the A5 e-tron's rear wheels are powered by a 60 kW (81 hp) electric motor, and there is nothing physically linking the front and rear axles.

As other companies, like Peugeot, know, a through-the-road setup helps to reduce weight, and with the generous use of carbon fiber and aluminum, the prototype tips the scales at no more than a production A5 Quattro that uses the same gas engine. With a 40-mile electric only range and the ability to cruise in EV mode at speeds up to 62 miles per hour, we think Audi may have a winner here. The company just needs to bring the car into production (before 2020, please).



Source: Autoblog Green

Nissan commences UK Deliveries of its Leaf Electric Vehicle

2011 Nissan Leaf EV

Nissan has begun deliveries of the Nissan LEAF battery-electric vehicle to customers in the UK.

Tony Whittaker, Sales Director at Cleaner Air Solutions in Durham, today took delivery of the first of five Nissan LEAFs the company is buying, at the Benfield Motor Group dealership on Portland Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. In a similar event in Waltham Abbey, Hertfordshire, Smooth FM DJ Mark Goodier and electronics engineer Richard Todd took delivery of their Nissan LEAFs at Glyn Hopkin Nissan.

A comprehensive charging network is currently under development in the UK and Nissan’s network of EV dealers—currently 26 sites across the country—will be equipped with a quick charger, which will charge the battery from zero up to 80% capacity in less than 30 minutes. There are programs under way to install around 1,300 charge points in the North East and 9,000 charge points across the UK by 2013.