EV market

German carmaker Audi is to introduce a dual 12V/48V electrical architecture to future ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles.

The 48V system features a lithium-ion battery and a DC/DC converter to integrate the 12V electrical system. The alternator achieves an energy recovery output of 10kW, adding up to a saving of up to 10g/km CO₂, according to Audi.

Patent family applications for batteries suitable for stationary energy storage have doubled. From 2006 to 2011, the number of patents increased from 2,800 to 5,900, according to a study by Technical University Munich.

The lithium segment is most dynamic with a steep upward trend since 2008 and 4,900 patent family applications in 2011. Simon Müller, physicist and economist at TUM told BEST: “A lot of companies have high market expectations for lithium batteries that result in extensive research development.

Samsung SDI broke ground on August 18 on a lithium-ion battery factory in the Chinese city of Xian.

The factory will be operational by October 2015 and produce some 40,000 units of battery cells annually to equip electric cars, the company said in a statement.

British Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has selected the University of Warwick, UK, as hub location for research and development of low carbon propulsion systems.

The £1 billion research centre will be located on campus at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), a division of the University focused on low carbon mobility, including energy storage and battery testing. APC is to invest up to £200m in projects this year.

South Korea’s Samsung SDI and German car manufacturer BMW have expanded its partnership with a “multi billion euro” deal that includes the supply of Samsung’s lithium-ion batteries to BMW’s future electric vehicles.

Battery maker Samsung currently provides 96-cell 60Ah battery packs for BMW’s i8 plug-in hybrid and i3 electric car models. BMW plans to increase the order by "at least" 20% to 30% in 2016 from its 2014 level.