Toshiba creates partnerships to develop electric car batteries

The sticking point to most electric car manufacturing is the battery. Toshiba, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen are now working together to hopefully create a car battery that can stand up to most driving. The intention is that these Toshiba electric car batteries will help electric automobiles go farther, charge faster and be more economical.

Article source: Toshiba creates partnerships to develop electric car batteries by Car Deal Expert

Troubles with batteries

Ever since the electric cars have been around, the battery has been in question. An electric car relies on batteries for power, and those batteries are also very heavy, short-lived and take a long time to charge. The battery-gas hybrid solved this problem. Within the push to try and have all-electric autos, nevertheless, the race to develop better batteries is in full swing.

Some major players in electric car batteries

Tesla motors is the big name in electric autos – and this is partially due to its battery technology. Tesla’s electric roadster that goes for $109,000 has a 300 mile range, but the high price tag is surely a barrier. The Nissan electric Leaf is $25,000, but the battery only lasts for about 100 miles. Toshiba and Mitsubishi have partnered up to create a SCiB — Super Charge ion Battery — that can be long-lasting and relatively inexpensive. Currently, Panasonic supplies batteries to both Honda and Ford, while Hitachi supplies General Motors and NEC supplies Nissan.

Toshiba’s battery experience

The Toshiba push to create an electric car battery fits right to the technology the company has long been developing. Toshiba makes motors for bullet trains, machinery, and elevators. By combining its SCiB battery technology with its engine know-how, the business is going to be building motors for a Ford hybrid in the next few years. Toshiba is partnering with Mitsubishi to make a Peugeot/Mitsubishi/Toshiba electric vehicle in Europe. Additionally, Toshiba is partnering with Volkswagen to create an all-electric car.

Battery life is getting better and electric car technology is improving. All around, good things for the zero or near-zero emissions vehicle market.