Ford and Samsung Collaborate to Develop a New Dual-Battery System for Automotive Lightweight Battery Development

Dual battery system jointly developed by Ford and Samsung

This joint venture company has been conducting a research and development project called “Dual Battery System” for the past ten years. This system can collect “regeneration braking force” generated on any production model, and it can collect and store car brakes. Achieve 95% of the braking energy and use it to charge the car battery. This will greatly increase the driving efficiency of hybrid vehicles, pure electric vehicles and conventional electric vehicles.

Ultra-light lithium battery developed by Samsung SDI

For this reason, Ford and Samsung must develop their own new dual battery system. The battery system incorporates a 12V lead-acid battery and a lithium battery so that its "regeneration braking" technology can be used on all cars.

In addition, it is more interesting that the company is developing an ultra-light lithium-ion battery. This new battery weighs only 40% of the weight of the current lithium battery, which is 5.4kg (12 pounds); the volume is 25-30% less than the current nickel-metal hydride battery used in hybrid cars and electric vehicles. (Now only a few hybrid cars use nickel-metal hydride batteries. The 2015 Toyota Prius will also use lithium-ion batteries.)

2014 Ford Fusion Energi Charging Port

Whether lithium or nickel-metal hydride batteries, they have their own shortcomings, such as expensive and heavy. But if Ford and Samsung can bring their ultra-lightweight lithium-ion batteries to market, that means at least a solution to the shortcomings of current automotive battery technology.

"The rapid development of battery technology means that one day it can completely replace the traditional lithium-ion and 12-volt lead-acid battery drive and provide better fuel efficiency," said Mike O'Sullivan, Samsung SDI vice president of automotive battery systems.