NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire - March 9, 2009) - Whether it is a battery for a hybrid or electric vehicle, the latest laptop, or backup power for a remote telecommunications site, everyone wants a battery that has the highest energy density, best safety factor, and longest life in term of discharge cycles and ease of maintenance while still being environmentally friendly.

These are the drivers behind rechargeable battery research around the world today, notes industrial market research publisher SBI in the brand-new report, “Advanced Rechargeable Battery Market: Emerging Worldwide Trends and Opportunities.” Rechargeable batteries, also known as storage batteries, are a continuing strong market, with worldwide sales of $36 billion in 2008. SBI forecasts that the rechargeable battery market will rise to $51 billion by 2013. (more…)

Purchase to save utility 6,500 gallons of gas in 2009, reduce CO2 emissions

Chicago, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ — One of the nation’s largest private fleets of alternative-fuel vehicles just got greener. ComEd has added 50 new Toyota Prius hybrids and plug-in electric hybrids to a fleet that now numbers more than 2,100 green vehicles.

ComEd meter readers in Chicago and the company’s Maywood office will drive the 50 new Priuses, including 10 Priuses that have been specially converted into electric plug-in hybrids. The plug-in conversion is expected to significantly increase fuel-efficiency by providing greater electric-drive capability. (more…)

Monitors Battery Stacks in Hybrid/Electric Vehicles & Battery Backup Systems

MILPITAS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new, highly integrated battery stack monitor from Linear Technology Corporation (Nasdaq:LLTC) significantly eases the design of battery monitoring systems for hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles and a range of battery backup systems. The new product unveiled today, the LTC6802 Battery Stack Monitor, is a semiconductor chip, capable of measuring the voltage of up to 12 individual battery cells. In addition, multiple LTC6802 devices can be stacked in series, allowing precise voltage monitoring of every cell in long strings of series-connected batteries. The device serves as a data acquisition device for large battery stacks, and is particularly well suited for Li-Ion battery stacks. (more…)

Shares ‘Oscar of Innovation’ Honor with Argonne Nat’l Lab

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Ener1, Inc. (Amex: HEV), maker of advanced battery technology to power the next generation of hybrid and electric vehicles, announced today that it has received the prestigious R&D 100 award for excellence in its technology and innovative design. The award is shared by Ener1 and its research partner, the U.S. Department of Energy and University of Chicago’s Argonne National Laboratory.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080312/CLW018LOGO )

Ener1 develops and manufactures compact, high performance lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for advanced automotive applications based on technology originally pioneered by Argonne researchers. Demand for cost effective battery solutions is being driven by a need to reduce dependence on foreign oil imports and the growing concern about vehicle emissions. (more…)