Panasonic is to supply lithium-ion battery cells for Ford’s hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
These include the upcoming Fusion and C-Max hybrid electrics as well as the Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrids which will use Panasonic battery cells in combination with petrol engines.
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Panasonic is building up its battery business to meet rising demand for environmental technologies. The company is already supplying nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery cells and systems for hybrid EVs to a number of carmakers including Toyota and Ford, as well as lithium-ion battery cells and systems for hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.
The lithium-ion battery supply agreement with Ford builds on a long-term partnership between the two companies. Sanyo Electric, which was acquired by Panasonic last year, has been supplying Ni-MH battery systems for the automaker’s Escape hybrid vehicle since 2004 [the Escape line is being redesigned for the 2013 model year, based on the European Kuga, and is due out next summer – ed].
The lithium-ion battery cells for the four Ford hybrid and plug-in hybrid models will be delivered in cell stack configuration to increase transportation efficiency and reliability.
