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Home | Green Cars News | Business | Daimler Launches Lithium-ion Battery JV with Evonik

Daimler Launches Lithium-ion Battery JV with Evonik

15 December, 2008 09:26:00

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Daimler AG and Evonik Industries AG created a joint venture to develop and manufacture automotive lithium-ion batteries based on Evonikâ€™s lithium-ion technology.

Evonik Group subsidiary Li-Tec is set to make a significant contribution to the success of this continued development. Daimler AG takes over 49.9 percent of Li-Tec Vermogensverwaltung GmbH (Li-Tec).

Evonik Industries AG already holds 50.1 percent. Both partners are seeking the involvement of a third shareholder in Li-Tec with expertise in electrical and electronic systems integration. Furthermore, the companies will also establish a joint venture with a clear focus on the development and production of batteries and battery systems for automotive applications.

Daimler will hold 90 percent of this joint venture, and Evonik 10 percent.

Li-Tec cells will appear in electric vehicles of Mercedes-Benz Cars. The lithium-ion batteries produced by the joint venture will be used in both the passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors.

The capacity available at Li-Tec and the joint venture will initially concentrate on the needs of Daimler AG. Beyond that, the sale of cells and battery systems to third parties is planned.

"We have the universal electric drive -- suitable for everyday use, safe, affordable," says Evonik CEO Mueller. Due to their technical concept featuring a ceramic separator, today's Li-Tec cells are the most suitable for electric vehicles. The flat cell, which leads the field in worldwide comparisons, boasts a high energy density combined with compact dimensions and outstanding safety -- the issue that takes greatest priority in the application of high energy density batteries. First generation lithium-ion flat cell batteries will soon be used in electric vehicles of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Changes in the automotive industry are increasing the demand for clean and efficient vehicles. According to forecasts, the market size for high-performance lithium-ion batteries will exceed the 10 billion Euro mark within the next decade; with the market for battery materials exceeding 4 billion Euros.

In Germany alone, the federal government is striving to see at least one million electric vehicles on city streets by 2020.

According to Daimler, the electrification of the automobile is the key to sustainable mobility. In order to fulfil all the demands for sustainable mobility in the long term, the company has developed a broad-based portfolio of efficient, clean and high-performance powertrain technologies to meet the most diverse range of customer requirements and applications.

As early as next year, Mercedes-Benz will launch the S 400 BlueHYBRID. Plans also include series production vehicles with fuel cells and with pure battery-powered electric drive. Daimler has already successfully proved their everyday usability in numerous fleet tests and infrastructure projects, including the smart electric drive in London. This year also saw the launch of further major Daimler electric vehicle projects in the shape of "e-mobility Berlin" and "e-mobility Italy".

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