Late last week, ExxonMobil announced that it, along with Japanese company Tonen Chemical, had developed a new plastic film technology for automotive lithium-ion batteries. And, since ExxonMobil was going to be at EVS23, I set up an interview with people who could tell AutoblogGreen readers more about this product. Thanks to a missed flight, I was not able to meet with ExxonMobil representatives at our appointment on Sunday but did connect with James Harris (pictured), the senior vice president of ExxonMobil Chemical Company and Patrick Brandt, the chief polymer scientist, R&D product technology, on the phone from Houston this afternoon.

Brandt and Harris spoke with AutoblogGreen about the way the new plastic sheet technology might affect future HEVs and BEVs. They're not naming names (big surprise), but did say that at least one major farm equipment manufacturer expressed an interest in the technology for farm implements right away.

Brandt walked us through some details on what the technology does. According to him, with this safe, higher-viscosity sheet, more lithium ions can safely move around between the electrodes in the battery. This results, apparently, in a more efficient and affordable lithium ion battery, which could potentially make hybrids and electric cars cheaper.

You can listen to the interview here (15 min, 10.3 MB). My own voice was recorded at a lower level, but you don't tune in to hear me, right? It's all about getting information from sources in the industry. It's unclear just how all this will fit into ExxonMobil's overall energy strategies, but that shouldn't stop anyone from speculating.

When we write about Exxon Mobil here on AutoblogGreen, we mostly do it to point out just how much money they make. In 2006, after all, the company did make $1,252 every second. Sometimes we write about their shady ethanol studies or other ways the giant oil company is trying to buy off scientists. What I'm saying is that it's not too often that we say somewhat nice things about Exxon Mobil.

Today we do. The AP has a story about Exxon's new greener car announcement. Apparently, the latest technological advancement the company is working on (with Japan's Tonen Chemical) is a new film for lithium-ion batteries that would make electric and hybrid cars more efficient and affordable. Exxon will release more information at the Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition (aka EVS23) in Anaheim. I'll be attending that conference, and will make sure to bring you more details from Exxon.

[Source: AP via CNN Money]