Posted: April 3, 2008

Let’s continue calling the roll of “Professor” Mike Millikin’s class of 12 leading developers of lithium-ion battery and ultracapacitor technology for the coming generation of mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. (The latter will run on electricity from an electrical outlet, while the former is an improved version of non-plug-in hybrids now on the road.) Yesterday Millikin, who runs the authoritative automotive web site Green Car Congress, handed out his second semester grades to A123, Altair Nanotechnologies, Compact Power and EEStor. The next group of four includes two noteworthy newcomers.

Ener1 – Congratulations to this small Florida-based public company on raising its grade from a “B+” to a full “A.” Ener1 raised its grade through a demonstration of its technology and through a new deal with Norwegian electric vehicle manufacturer Think. “Very good” progress, Millikin said, emphasizing again that for any lithium-ion developer to make it big, that firm is going to need both great technology and strong commercial relationships. All in all, Millikin indicated, Ener1 is a company to watch closely.

Hitachi – This is the first of Millikin’s new class members and it starts out with an “A” based upon the recently-announced deal between Hitachi Vehicle Energy Ltd., a subsidiary, and General Motors. The deal calls for Hitachi to supply the lithium-ion battery system for a second-generation version of the GM Hybrid System that GM plans to put into production. Millikin emphasized that with this deal for a mild hybrid, Hitachi achieves production volume still not evident in others’ plug-in battery development.

Johnson Controls – Just as the private firm A123 nearly pulled off, this giant manufacturer of energy efficient products and systems almost got an “A+” from Millikin, and just may the next time around. For now, Millikin is content giving Johnson Controls another “big A,” as he put it. He said the company’s second semester achievements included firming up its deal with Mercedes-Benz on a number of new mild hybrid models to be introduced starting in 2009.

Lithium Technology Corp. – Here’s the second new member of the class, from Germany, and it starts out with a “B.” Millikin said he was impressed by the company’s new line of lithium-ion batteries that target the electric vehicle (EV) and commercial vehicle markets. As Green Car Congress, Millikin’s web site, has reported, Lithium Technology utilizes large-format technology that allows for the development of safer battery systems with a significantly lower number of cells.

Coming tomorrow, April 2, in Part 3 – Report car grades for Maxwell Technologies, Automotive Energy Supply Co., Panasonic EV and Valence