Italian battery maker FIAMM is to launch a lithium-ion battery pack in 2015 aimed at the hybrid/micro-hybrid electric vehicle market, BEST understands.
FIAMM CEO Nicola Cosciani said it is currently in deep negotiations with a lithium-ion cell manufacturer with the aim of launching a battery pack next year. Due to non-disclosure agreements, Cosciani would not be drawn on either the lithium chemistry it was pursuing or the name of the cell manufacturer.
Cosciani told BEST: “We are exploring a range of chemistries, including lithium NMC and lithium iron phosphate, to develop an alternative battery for hybrid automotive applications. It could be a European cell maker or it could be Asian; we will reveal full details in due course.”
FIAMM currently manufactures lead-acid and sodium nickel chloride batteries. Its ‘SoNick’ battery is used in Iveco’s electric van; Cosciani did not rule out the Vicenza-based company providing lithium-ion battery packs for hybrid vehicles made by Iveco’s owner Fiat.
Cosciani added FIAMM is actively exploring dual architecture solutions for stop-start and ‘micro-hybrid’ cars featuring a 12V lead-acid starter battery and a 48V lithium-ion pack to provide ‘eboosting’ and allow for higher loads.