A UK research project has demonstrated a new battery technology that could be more affordable and offer improved performance for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

Technology companies Ricardo and QinetiQ, who led the two-year reduced cost Li-ion (RED-LION) project funded by the Energy Saving Trust, have demonstrated an innovative iron sulphide-based cell chemistry and advanced battery management system that significantly reduces cost and weight.

Prototype fuel cells based on the new technology deliver a 20% weight reduction compared with the battery pack used in the Efficient-C prototype HEV.

QinetiQ also claims that the iron sulphide-based cell chemistry uses cheaper raw materials and can be produced using a more energy efficient manufacturing process.

The partners say that the “very promising results” indicate that the technology is best suited to HEVs and short range plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs), but with improvement could be an attractive option for all-electric vehicles.

“Not only could this improve performance in existing HEVs through reduced cell size and weight, but also make all-electric vehicles a more credible proposition by increasing range,” says Mark Roberts of QinetiQ.

“And because iron sulphide-based cell chemistry is cheaper to produce than traditional cobalt cells, lower production costs could make hybrid and all-electric vehicles more affordable in the future,” he adds.

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