All Stories
Follow
Subscribe to AKASOL AG

AKASOL AG

Akasol unveils new battery module with very high energy density for coaches and trucks

Akasol unveils new battery module with very high energy density for coaches and trucks
  • Photo Info
  • Download

Akasol continues to build on its modular approach and offers commercial vehicle manufacturers and other users high flexibility: the company presents three exemplary lithium-ion battery systems at booth B386.

* Press Release *

Hanover, 14 May 2018 - Akasol at The Battery Show Europe

More energy for the long haul: Akasol unveils new battery module with very high energy density for coaches and trucks

- New AKAModule 60 CYC with cylindrical cells provides very high energy density 
  for commercial vehicles and high-performance applications
- Akasol presents three battery systems of identical size / flexible approach to
  specific customer needs
- The Battery Show Europe in Hanover: Akasol will be at booth B386

More energy for the long haul: Akasol introduces their first cylindrical-cells battery system with very high energy density (221 Wh/kg) at The Battery Show Europe. AKAModule 60 CYC allows building high-energy battery systems thanks to its modular structure. This enables long distance journeys for commercial vehicles such as intercity coaches, buses and trucks while at the same time offering a long life-time. At stand B386 Akasol will present battery system AKASYSTEM 15 AKM 60 CYC with 40 kWh as an example.

The compact size of AKAModule 60 CYC fits the PHEV2 standard module and can be built into its system environment. Despite its very high energy density (about 221 Wh/kg), this 2,66-kWh battery module offers a power density of up to 433 W/kg and high cycle stability in comparison to other high-energy solutions (1,500 to 3,000 operative cycles). The new battery module will first be used in customer application trials at the end of 2018. Afterwards it will enter series production.

Both the high-performance battery systems with prismatic cells that are already available and the new high-energy battery systems operate with standardised liquid cooling that does not require exotic chemicals. Akasol works with a standard water-glycol-mix that is widely used in numerous applications of the automotive industry worldwide, for instance in engine cooling. Therefore, it's not complicated to integrate and validate the necessary components for storing and circulating the cooling agent within the vehicle's architecture.

Akasol continues to build on its modular approach and offers commercial vehicle manufacturers and other users high flexibility: the company presents three exemplary lithium-ion battery systems at booth B386. Each has the same dimensions (700 x 150 x 1700) and contains 15 battery modules with different cell technology fitting the PHEV2 standard module. When demands on performance, energy or cycle stability change at a later stage, users can simply exchange systems.

1) AKASYSTEM 15 OEM 37 PRC (Available since 2018, PHEV2 standard module with prismatic battery cells)

The first generation of our high-performance battery systems. A similar model is used in electric bus Citaro by Daimler's subsidiary EvoBus. It is mass-produced in Germany. Fitted with PHEV2 battery modules with high power density (up to 870 W/kg) based on prismatic lithium-ion cells, this battery system brings together high cycle stability (up to 3,000 cycles) and high performance for utility vehicles.

2) AKASYSTEM 15 OEM 50 PRC (Available from the end of 2019, PHEV2 standard module with prismatic battery cells)

This high-performance battery system uses the next generation of high-performance battery modules with high power density (up to 833 W/kg) and significantly higher energy density (approximately up to 183 Wh/kg) based on prismatic lithium-ion cells. This battery system will allow electric vehicles to increase their range by up to 35 percent while occupying the same space as the currently available system and maintaining the same life-time (up to 3,000 cycles). It is planned for series production at the end of 2019.

3) AKASYSTEM 15 AKM 60 CYC (available from mid-2019, PHEV2 standard module with cylindrical battery cells of type 21700):

This high-energy battery system with 40 kilowatt hours uses the new cylindrical-cell battery modules with very high energy density (approximately 221 Wh/kg, at maximum power density of up to 433 W/kg). It's robust and scalable, and acquisition costs per kWh are comparatively low. In comparison to what current technology permits, this new technology will allow electric vehicles to increase their range by more than 60 percent. This system is developed for long distance traffic, e.g. buses using overnight charging facilities, intercity coaches and trucks.

Stephen Raiser, Co-Founder and Head of Development at Akasol:

"Our new cylindrical-cells battery module allows coaches, city buses and trucks to operate reliably on long distance journeys. Since the driving range of those vehicles increases significantly, the need for charging stations will decrease considerably for many applications. Demand and customer interest in our different solutions is high, which shows that the market is developing rapidly and that requirements on battery systems for commercial vehicles vary a lot. We enjoy applying our many years of experience to finding individual solutions for our clients."

Availability

After their premiere as part of The Battery Show, both battery systems AKASYSTEM 15 OEM 50 PRC and AKASYSTEM 15 AKM 60 CYC will be available for sample applications at the end of this year. Akasol plans their subsequent series production.

About Akasol

Akasol is a leading European manufacturer of lithium-ion battery systems that are market ready to deliver safe, reliable and compliant power at scale for global electric transport. With nearly 30 years of German engineering, testing and manufacturing experience, Akasol delivers safe battery systems for major players in the commercial transport sector. Current clients include Daimler EvoBus, VDL Bus & Coach, Alexander Dennis, Alstom, Bombardier and Bucher Municipal. Those clients demand stringent quality across Akasol's OEM-certified products, as well as extensive product testing and supply chain traceability.

In 2017 Akasol has opened a new battery systems facility in Langen with an annual capacity of 300 MWh. To Akasol's knowledge, this is Europe's largest production plant for commercial vehicle lithium-ion battery systems, currently capable of producing high-performance battery systems for up to 1,500 fully electric buses or up to 6,000 commercial vehicles per year, depending on battery size. The facility is planned to be expanded to 600 MWh by 2020.

The company, based in Darmstadt (Hesse) and led by Sven Schulz and Felix von Borck, has powered more than 1,000 electrified vehicles, with end-customers already travelling millions of kilometres safely and reliably. Co-founders are Dr Björn Eberleh and Stephen Raiser.

For further information, visit the company's website: www.akasol.com

AKASOL GmbH, Katja Steinhauser
Landwehrstraße 55, D-64293 Darmstadt
Tel.: +49 6151 80 05 00-140 
katja.steinhauser@akasol.com
www.akasol.com

Public Relations:
Life Size Media, Martin Jendrischik
Akazienstraße 3A, D-10823 Berlin
Tel.: +49 151 23 91 57 80  
martin@lifesizemedia.de
www.lifesizemedia.de