High Capacity Hybrid Ultracapacitors for HEVs

Mild and power assist hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) have power requirements that require high power energy storage unattainable by current batteries. To compensate, batteries are oversized, leading to excess cost and weight. In addition, micro HEVs use lead-acid batteries that have short life with partial state of charge operation. These lower performance HEVs are more attractive to cost sensitive consumers, but improved energy storage is required. TDA is developing a new energy storage device, which is a hybrid of a battery and ultracapacitor. Our performance estimates show that our novel device will meet all USABC requirements for micro, mild and power assist hybrid electric vehicles. Conventional Li-ion or ultracapacitor companies can readily manufacture the economical devices. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits Micro HEVs have 5 8 % better mileage than vehicles with comparable sized conventional engines, and their additional cost is less than $1000. Although established in Europe, sales in the US are just beginning. Industry experts expect a rapid transition to micro HEV technology by US car manufacturers in the next five years. Our technology could provide a significant benefit to such vehicles. Large-scale introduction of battery based advanced transportation would benefit society by both reducing our reliance on imported oil and reducing the CO2 emissions contributing to global warming.