Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Phoenix
Altair NanoTechnologies ships first 10 batteries to Phoenix Motorcars
Altair Nanotechnologies has attracted a lot of attention in recent months for the claims they have made about their new ceramic nano-material based lithium battery technology. The first committed customer for the NanoSafe battery is Phoenix Motorcars and this week they received the first ten Altair NanoSafe batteries. The units that have been shipped are the 35 kWh units that should provide the Phoenix SUT with a 130 mile range. Altair also claims that the batteries can be charged in ten minutes if a 480V industrial charging station is used. When charging from 110V or 220V outlets, charging still takes several hours. The ten batteries fulfill a $750,000 order, and Phoenix has also ordered one additional battery which is supposed to be shaped later this week.
Related:- Alt Car Expo: Q&A with Roy Graham on Altairnano batteries, Phoenix electric SUV
- EDTA Conference: revisiting Altair Nanotechnologies' NanoSafe batteries, Phoenix EV Truck
[Source: Altair NanoTechnologies via GreenCarCongress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TX CHL Instructor 12:23PM (12/29/2006)
I suppose the EV biz is the highest-value market for now, but I would like to see this technology in PDAs and laptop computers. I've gone through battery replacement on my laptop twice now, and I would pay a premium price not to have to do it again.
Perhaps they could license the technology to some aftermarket laptop-battery manufacturer.
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Matt 1:15PM (12/29/2006)
Wow, so each battery pack costs around 75k? I hope everything works out and prices are able to fall rapidly. Good luck Altair NanoTechnologies!
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Kerry beauhrt 2:24PM (12/29/2006)
"Wow, so each battery pack costs around 75k? "
Hardly. The $750,000 payment is mostly payment for engineering services. Altairs batteries have a 1.250 kilowatt hour capacity each, weigh 35 pounds, and cost around $400 per kilowatt hour.
A 35 kwhr battery pack would cost around $14,000 by the best estimates I have available.
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Peter 3:35PM (12/29/2006)
If you can fill 35kWh in 10 minutes, you are averaging 210kW. So at 480V, you pull 440A. I want to see the size of those cables!
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Tim 5:00PM (12/29/2006)
Peter- That's why they call them "industrial" chargers. These charger "vending machines" could easily be installed at "gas" stations or in any parking lot. Most retailers or shopping centers would be welcome another profit center!
Consider this. Pull in to Wal-Mart (or whatever), plug in your BEV/PHEV and run your 10 minute errand. Pay with your credit card when you return and you’re ready to go another 130 miles. When I travel long distances, I like to stop every couple of hours (100 miles or so) to stretch my legs, hit the rest room and maybe grab a snack. 10 minutes at a highway rest stop is just enough time.
The 10 minute recharge does work with lifestyle, but it is not really the point here. High power, safety and extremely long life are the key points. Most BEV/PHEV batteries will be recharged overnight for the following day's commute and only topped-off during the day. The most important factor of all is COST! I would really like to see some cost estimates of millions of these battery packs during full scale production.
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Jimmy 7:43PM (12/29/2006)
It seems odd they would target the EV market for their new battery technology. Laptops, mobile phones and digital cameras all suffer from the shortcomings of current Li-Ion batteries.
I would have imagined a company like Sony or Samsung paying big money for safer, faster charging batteries. The EV market is a tiny niche compared to consumer electronics.
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Ian Porter 8:12PM (1/24/2007)
Forget the 10 min recharge. Its just not achievable or a serious need. You can't have it all ways at once. Think of the environment first and the minor inconvenience second (for the tiny few it affects. Remember the average Joe only does 26 miles round trip in a daily commute.
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galin 1:14PM (9/10/2007)
The company has developed nanomaterials for the alternative energy, life sciences and performance materials markets based on its proprietary manufacturing process. This process also provides the foundation for its innovative AHP pigment process.
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beneficial association
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Paul 11:29PM (8/16/2008)
If a 35 kwhr battery pack would cost around $14,000.
How much would the 70 kwhr battery cost.
How much would it cost for two 70 kwhr.Could it work having 20 batteries in a vehicle, that could go 500 miles?
Just asking because the two 70 kwhr each can go 250 miles
why not.
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