Sion Power Corporation, Tucson, Ariz., USA, and BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany, today announced a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to accelerate the commercialization of Sion Power's proprietary lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery technology, e.g., for the electric vehicle (EV) market and other high-energy applications.
The Sion Power / BASF collaboration targets the development of battery materials to improve Li-S battery life and to increase the energy density and thus extend driving range of future EVs beyond what is currently available with alternative rechargeable battery technologies. Li-S technology already offers significant energy density and weight advantages over those existing technologies.
According to Dr. Dennis Mangino, CEO of Sion Power, “We are proud to be partnered with BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, as we accelerate the development and introduction of our high energy, light weight, and transformational battery products. BASF’s vast expertise in materials development and manufacturing are important to our success.”
“We are excited to join Sion Power in advancing Li-S technology,” said Dr. Thomas Weber, CEO of BASF Future Business. “It is clear that Sion’s technology offers high potential for significantly longer driving ranges over other technologies currently being considered for electric vehicles. We see a clear need for higher energy densities of the storage devices, and we will join forces with Sion to bring this technology to the market using innovative solutions. In combination with the lithium ion battery consortium 'HE-Lion' that we have formed recently, we further strengthen our efforts to advance battery technology.”
Improved battery technology is a fundamental requirement for more efficient use of current and renewable energy sources. The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides for $2 billion for the development and manufacture of advanced automotive batteries. All major automotive manufactures are vigorously pursuing the introduction of electric vehicles that are environmentally friendly yet provide the range and comfort consumers expect in an automobile, features that cannot be obtained with any currently available battery technology.