Batteries and electrification are rapidly becoming the future of powering cars. It appears like it will be nearly impossible to build a hydrogen infrastructure, unless fuel costs increase significantly in the near future, and that leaves high power density batteries as the major alternative.

FordFordUnited States of America, 1903 > present92 models
2522 photos
11 videos
has teamed with the University of Michigan to open a new an $ 8 million battery lab to develop the next generation of batteries for hybrids and EVs. Battery suppliers and grants from the federal and state government also funded the lab.

The lab aims to make batteries smaller, lighter, cheaper and more energy dense. The lab has a state-of-the-art manufacturing lab that can create battery prototypes quickly on a small scale so that they can be tested quickly. Another key is ensuring that whatever technology is created is scalable to full production vehicles.

The other key is to experiment with new chemical mixes and materials to optimize current battery tech. In the last 15 years alone, the cutting edge of batteries has gone from lead-acid to nickel-metal-hydride to the current lithium-ion batteries.

“This lab will give us a stepping-stone between the research lab and the production environment, and a chance to have input much earlier in the development process. This is sorely needed, and no one else in the auto industry has anything like it,” said Ted Miller, battery research manager at Ford.