GE Innovation Battery Feature: Hybrids, Electric Car, A123Systems
skip to secondary navigation
Scientists at GE’s Global Research Center are continuously working to find cleaner, more efficient sources of energy. Their recent discoveries will challenge us to rethink the potential of the simple battery. See how GE technologies are changing how we power our roads, railways, waterways and beyond.
GE is developing innovative battery technologies and hybrid systems that will help hybrid and electric vehicles travel farther, perform better and release fewer emissions into the atmosphere.
What’s missing? Since fully electric cars produce zero emissions while driving they don’t need a tailpipe.
Our work with lithium-ion battery manufacturer A123 Systems is producing high-power batteries well-suited to the speed and range needs of urban electric cars, such as the Think City electric vehicle from Norway.
The Think City can reach a top speed of 100km/h (62mph) and drive up to 185km (115 miles) under city driving conditions.
We are also working with the U.S. Department of Energy to achieve a unique dual battery hybrid vehicle with an electric driving range of at least 40 miles (63km) — well above the average daily commute for motorists.
What’s unique about a dual battery? It leverages two different battery chemistries — one for power and one for energy storage. So imagine a car that can accelerate with the power of a sprint runner…and also travel long distances like a marathon runner.
It’s estimated half of all cars must be hybrid by 2020 to meet new fuel economy standards set by U.S. Congress.
Heavy vehicles, such as trains, buses and off-highway trucks, make up a tenth of all vehicles in the U.S. but account for half of all fuel consumption. GE is applying our battery technologies to this sector to help lessen its environmental impact.
GE’s hybrid locomotive will provide 15 percent fuel savings and 50 percent emissions reduction.
Regenerative braking is a sustainable way to increase the fuel efficiency of heavy vehicles. GE is currently working on projects that take advantage of this process, including a hybrid mine haul truck, hybrid fuel cell bus and hybrid marine tugboat.
How does regenerative braking work? Similar to how a toy yo-yo uses gravity to store potential energy, heavy hybrid vehicles can capture the energy that’s normally lost when slowing down. An electric drive transfers this energy to a battery, where it is stored and later used in acceleration.
GE created the world’s first hybrid mine haul truck by modifying it with a 600 horsepower battery pack.
In addition to transportation, GE is studying batteries for potential long-term energy storage solutions. From wind farms and the grid, to power plants and oil and gas pumping stations, we see exciting possibilities for battery technologies ahead.
GE’s battery and hybrid projects are all part of our ecomagination initiative.
Started in 2006, GE’s Advanced Battery Lab today comprises more than 30 researchers working globally on next generation battery technologies that will redefine how we transport and power the world.
GE’s Hybrid Systems team is a diverse technical group of close to 25 engineers and scientists — a few with more than three decades of experience in electric and hybrid vehicle technologies.
Meet our teams and read about their work on the official blog of GE’s Global Research Center:
grcblog.comFor event info, media resources and more, visit:
GE.com/batteryLearn about careers with the GRC, our technologies and our scientists at:
GE.com/research