LOW-COST ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY ARCHITECTURE

Cadenza

Novel, Low-Cost, and Safe Electric Vehicle Battery

Program: 

RANGE

ARPA-E Award: 

$3,499,867

Location: 

Wilton, CT

Project Term: 

02/10/2014 to 02/09/2017

Project Status: 

ACTIVE

Technical Categories: 

Transportation Storage

Critical Need: 

Driving range, safety, and cost remain the biggest hurdles in the way of mass electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Innovative approaches to EV battery manufacturing present the opportunity to maximize stored energy relative to the weight of EVs, allowing for up to three times the driving range. These new battery chemistries and designs prevent overheating, are immune to catastrophic failure, and can be incorporated into the structure of a vehicle to improve strength in some cases. Much of this can be accomplished at a 30% lower cost compared to conventional batteries, thus bolstering widespread adoption of EVs.

Project Innovation + Advantages: 

Cadenza Innovation is developing an innovative system to join and package batteries using a wide range of battery chemistries. Today’s battery packs require heavy and bulky packaging that limits where they can be positioned within a vehicle. By contrast, Cadenza’s design enables flexible placement of battery packs to absorb and manage impact energy in the event of a collision. Cadenza’s battery will use a novel configuration that allows for double the energy density through the use of a multifunctional pack design.

Potential Impact: 

If successful, Cadenza’s batteries would provide greater energy density compared to today’s lithium-ion batteries, while reducing the costs associated with materials and processing.

Security: 

The mass adoption of EVs would diminish the demand for petroleum, dramatically reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Environment: 

Greater use of EVs would reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, 28% of which come from the transportation sector.

Economy: 

Technological advancements from the RANGE program could enable EVs to travel significantly further on a single charge at a much lower cost than that of current EVs and conventional vehicles.

Contacts

ARPA-E Program Director: 

Dr. Ping Liu

Press and General Inquiries Email: 

ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov(link sends e-mail)

Project Contact: 

Dr. Per Onnerud

Partners:

Chrysler Group LLC

Magna E-Car of America, Inc.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Release Date: 

8/21/2013