Sanyo will cut in half of $ of battery for hybrid car in '09

[ty]

Sanyo say they will (want to) cut in half of the cost of battery for hybrid car in 2009 according to this article.

Article - in Japanese
http://response.jp/issue/2005/1027/article75833_1.html
Pictures
http://response.jp/issue/2005/1027/arti ... 98710.html

A few points from article
- Sanyo currently (1st generation, 2005 model, 92kg) sell 20,000 units to Ford.
- They plan to introduce
2nd generation unit, 70kg in 2008
3rd generation uinte, 54kg in 2009

As you can see in the picture, the next generation of battery (on the right side) is Lithium-Ion, and considerably small. From the article, it is unclear that the 3rd generation (54 kg) meant this Lithium-Ion ones.

I don't know about Insight's battery unit weight. But if Honda will introduce Insight II, I would like to see a lighter unit like this in it, so it will futher reduce Insight overall weight!

I think Sanyo is Honda's partner on development of battery for hybrid car(whereas Toyota with Panasonic). I believe Sanyo is the world largest battery manufacure.

[Guillermo]

The Insight batteries weigh only 22 Kg.
The battery can drain in less then 3 or 4 minutes if full assist is used climbing a mountain for example.
Our battery capacity is so small compared to the Prius that can function on electric only during city driving.

[ty]

Thank you for the info!
I knew Insight battery is small and weight less than others but did not know that light.

So it will be about 10 kg weight reduction if the new battery technology applied into future Insight.

Do you know about Civic hybrid (and Prius) battery weight? Is it a lot larger than Insight's one?

I guess the Prius owners have to pay a lot to replace thier battery since they got larger one. Economy of size help the price down but still. I am just wonder how much it is.

[Dougie]

I still don't see why you can't just use regular rechargeable D batteries in the Insight...

[Rick]

Regulat off the shelf D size rechargable batteries will not move the kind of current you need, they also do not have the proper connector to handle that kind of current. On top of that the internal design is different.

That's why.

[Insightful Trekker]

To simplify Ricky's reply I'd say you'd smok'em in a matter of minutes ( see Ricky's reply for the "technical" details)

[Rick]

What John said.

[Big D Insightman]

The D size batteries that the the Insight uses are only 1.2 volts a regular D size battery is 1.5 volt. I think the battery pack weight in the 2006 HCH has been reduced even though the current has been increased.

[Insightful Trekker]

Back on topic (for me :P ):

There's an old post in here somewhare that announced Honda was going to open its previous exclusive dealings with Panasonic in regard to hybrid batteries. Sanyo was the other competitor.

Sounds like their (planning) to do their job

[Resist]

Originally Posted by Big D Insightman

The D size batteries that the the Insight uses are only 1.2 volts a regular D size battery is 1.5 volt.

All D size rechargable batteries are only 1.2 volts.