Sanyo and Suzuki Partner in Lithium-ion Batteries for Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles

Sanyo Electric announced an agreement with Suzuki Motor to supply lithium-ion battery systems for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) - "Swift Plug-in Hybrid". Suzuki has already announced its intention to start manufacturing the vehicles.

The "Swift Plug-in Hybrid" will serve as a model supported by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The new model will serve as a demonstration experiment and the experiment will be implemented at Suzuki dealers from this autumn.

With increasing awareness of the environtment, Sanyo is strengthening its rechargeable battery business and is developing rechargeable batteries for environmentally friendly vehicles, which are expected to see a rapid increase in demand in the future. The company has been supplying nickel-metal hydride batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to Honda and Ford since 2004.

Sanyo has also been carrying out joint development with the Volkswagen Group for next-generation nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion battery systems, as well as with PSA Peugeot Citroen for a nickel-metal hydride battery system. Sanyo sees this new partnership as a way to further enhance its relationship with Suzuki and further appeal its strengths in next-generation battery technology for automobiles.

Using its Smart Energy System (SES) combining technologies for energy generation (photovoltaic systems), energy storage (rechargeable batteries), and energy efficiency (commercial equipment, etc.), Sanyo offers systems optimizing energy use, as well as helping to reduce CO2 emissions and running costs.

Sanyo's "Green Energy Park" is scheduled for completion in October 2010 at the company's new Kasai Plant in Hyogo prefecture, Japan, and will feature cutting-edge SES impmentation. The site will also have a vehicle charging station that combines solar cell and lithium-ion battery system technologies, and demonstration testing of the PHV will be carried out there.

Sanyo plans to accelerate the development and commercialization of high-performance batteries, and is working on global business expansion of its rechargeable batteries for environmentally friendly vehicles.

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