Just a month after announcing that their hybrid battery system would be featured in General Motor’s new Saturn Aura Green Line, Cobasys is again teaming with GM.
On Jan. 4, Cobasys was awarded a contract to develop and test lithium-ion battery system technology for GM’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) program.
The company, located at 3740 S. Lapeer Road, is a leading supplier of advanced integrated energy storage solutions. Their battery system technology is helping in the automotive industry’s effort to improve fuel-economy and reduce vehicle emissions.
Just a day prior to the announcement with GM, Cobasys and A123Systems, out of Watertown, Mass., announced plans to enter into a partnership, which fueled the GM decision.
The ‘memorandum of understanding,? between Cobasys and A123Systems includes collaboration efforts to develop, manufacture, sell and service lithium energy storage systems for hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications.
‘We are excited to have A123Systems as a partner,? said Cobasys President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas S. Neslage.
‘The agreement to unite Cobasys system expertise with A123Systems lithium technology further exemplifies our vision to be recognized as the world’s most admired energy storage integration solutions company.?
A123Systems President and CEO David Vieau said the partnership will accelerate the adoption of hybrid vehicles in the marketplace.
‘We look forward to working with Cobasys to introduce lithium-ion (batteries) into the automotive market,? he said.
Ivan Menjak, Cobasys General Manager for Planning and Business Strategy, is also looking forward to the possibilities the agreement with the Massachusetts-based company will offer.
‘Our partnership presents an enormous range of potential benefits for the rapidly growing HEV market,? he said. ‘We look forward to working closely with A123Systems to provide leading edge solutions to maximize the opportunity afforded by the synergy of the two companies.?
The two companies will provide GM with complete battery systems featuring A123Systems? proprietary nanophosphate technology.
The resulting lithium-ion battery system will consist of a ‘plug-and-play? fully integrated solution, complete with battery modules, system design, packaging, thermal management, battery management electronics and control algorithms, all designed to make the system work seamlessly with the vehicle.
‘We are very pleased to have been selected for this ground-breaking program and to further expand our relationship with General Motors,? Neslage said.
‘The demand for hybrid technology is steadily growing and gaining widespread acceptance in the market,? he added, noting this is Cobasys? third announced program in conjunction with GM.
Cobasys is a joint venture between Chevron Technology Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX), and Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENER).
A123Systems, built on initial developments from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology back in 2001, is one of the world’s largest suppliers of high-power lithium-ion batteries.
For more information on Cobasys, visit www.cobasys.com, and for more information on A123Systems, visit www.a123systems.com.