GS Yuasa new cells
Since 2013, GS Yuasa, Mitsubishi and Bosch are working together in a joint venture named Lithium Energy and Power with the purpose to develop better batteries for electric cars. But despite some claims from time to time about a future battery with double capacity we haven’t heard much since.
I took a look at the joint venture website and discovered two things:
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV doesn’t use the same LEV50N cells that are in i-MiEV’s battery pack. Instead it uses LEV40 cells. These cells are made specifically for PHEVs.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV battery
2. LEV50N aren’t the only cells GS Yuasa has for electric cars. They already have LEV75 cells that represent a 50 % capacity improve.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iOn that I often refer to as the triplets – because they are essentially the same car – are getting their prices dropped in Europe with the hope to survive the competition from new electric cars. Following the price reduction I now expect to see the battery capacity and range increase. That’s what the competitors are doing. I’m thinking of Nissan and BMW.
I don’t know the LEV75’s weight, but it is very possible that it’s the same or less than the weight of LEV50N cells.
LEV50N’s energy density is the worst in modern electric cars, it’s only 110 Wh/kg. If the LEV75 cells weigh the same, it would represent an increase of the energy density to 165 Wh/kg. Not very difficult since most modern cells have an energy density much higher. So it’s possible that the new LEV75 cells are actually lighter.
Let’s do the math assuming the weight is the same:
For the French brothers that only have 80 cells: 80 x 3,7 V x 75 Ah = 22,2 kWh – 150 km to 225 km in NEDC
For i-MiEV: 88 x 3,7 V x 75 Ah = 24,42 kWh – 160 km to 240 km in NEDC
The real range should be around 150 km, this puts the little EV at the same territory of most modern electric cars.
In 2016/2017 Mitsubishi will introduce a 5 seats electric car, but I hope they maintain the little i-MiEV, because if priced right and with the 50 % range increase it could be a great choice for a commuter car.
Pedro Lima,
Looking at the photos, it seems that the LEV75 are a lot thicker then the LEV50N. So, probably, they are 50% heavier.
Maybe you’re right. But those aren’t actually photos, are just drawings.
I’ll be very disappointed if the LEV75 don’t have at least 50 % more energy density. By this I mean 165 Wh/kg and 327 Wh/L. Remember that the LEV50N cells are only 110 Wh/kg and 218 Wh/L. Even with 50 % more energy density, these figures are still the worst in modern electric cars.
Thanks for this excellent overview. It’s refreshing to read an objective online article mentioning the i-MiEV and related battery technology without the typical derision and hearsay.
I’m the happy owner of a 2012 North American i-MiEV (purchased used a month ago today) and I plan to be driving it well beyond the warranty of the traction pack. 6 years or 82,000 mile from now, whichever comes first (the former will probably arrive before the latter,) I’ll be interested to investigate the idea of dropping new cells into the old pack that can take me down the road for another decade or so.
[quote]I don’t know the LEV75’s weight, but it is very possible that it’s the same or less than the weight of LEV50N cells.[/quote]
It’s very likely, the Peugeot Partner electric and Citroen Berlingo electric both have the LEV75 cells (75Ah is for sure).
Partner and Berlingo electric are also based on the i-Miev drivetrain (like C-Zero and Ion), same motor, same ChaDeMo charging.
80 cells of LEV75 in Partner/Berlingo: 380 kg. (2 packs of 48 plus 32 cells)
80 cells of LEV50N in Ion/C-Zero: 186 kg.
Therefore, it’s likely, the LEV75 cells are larger and heavier.
Ralf K you’re right.
The battery in those electric vans has 22,5 kWh capacity, so 80 cells with 75Ah and 3,75 V each makes it right.
80 x 75 Ah x 3,75 V = 22,5 kWh
You discovered where LEV75 are being used.
Good find 🙂
If the vans are using the LEV75s with 22.5kwh in the PSA vans, then why oh *why* don’t they fit them to the I-miev triplets, and the Miev minicab? It really seems a no brainer. All the work is already done!
Hello. Is it possible to power up a battery of an outlander of 2016?