After 10 Yrs, 3000 Cycles, LiFePO4 Batteries at 80% capacity

[Lock]

Smith EV Finds After 10 Years, 3000 Cycles, LiFePO4 Batteries Retain 80% Capacity in Large EVs

Seen here:
http://www.lifepo4-info.com/smith-e...lifepo4-batteries-retain-80-percent-capacity/

and here:
http://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/201...ric-vans-could-last-more-than-10-years/38353/

Coupla snips:

Smith Electric Vehicles, which has more commercial electric vehicles on UK roads than any other manufacturer, has conducted extensive trials on the lithium-ion phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries in its Smith Edison light commercial vehicle. When combined with data from its customers’ vehicles, Smith Electric can make a compelling case for the real operational life of its vans and light trucks.

Kevin Harkin, sales director for Smith Electric Vehicles, said: “The battery condition reports delivered much more impressive figures than we ever expected, demonstrating far lower levels of battery degradation than even the manufacturer forecast.

“Our own research - and independent tests that we commissioned - have verified that the battery should still have a minimum of 80 per cent capacity after 3,000 cycles.

“So even if the vehicle uses a full battery cycle, every day for 300 days a year, it will still be 80% efficient after 10 years. For example, a vehicle that had a 100-mile range brand new will still have an 80-mile range, a decade later.”

Smith Electric previously used Sodium Nickel Chloride (Zebra) batteries, but moved to LiFePO4 for its longer life, durability and better performance. Smith now guarantees its batteries for five years, as opposed to the three-year warranty it could offer on Zebra batteries. And because the drive train on a Smith vehicle is friction-free, it does not wear in the same way as an internal combustion engine.

tks
LoCk

 

[miro13car]

what cells do they use, Lock?
MC

 

[Lock]

Dunno... According to the President of the United States they look like this (maybe):

...which I don't recognize... special run/colour just for Smith?

Careful Mr.President!

in truth I don't pay much attention to large Ah cells so somebuddy else might recognize these... they're certainly not Zebras...

Hey... watt the heck are these?

seen here:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/10/11/the_great_battery_race?page=0,1

Thinkin' now Smith is just using boxes full of little guys...

Lock

 

[Lock]

Found this bit of info on the Enova site:
http://www.enovasystems.com/news.html

Highlights of the September 30, 2010 Quarter:

Revenue increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 by $733,000 or 18% to $4,887,000 for the comparable period in 2009. Navistar, Smith Electric Vehicles (“Smith”), First Auto Works (“FAW”) and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (“Freightliner”) contributed to these sales in 2010. Revenue for Q3 2010 was $1,904,000.
The Company is currently experiencing an increase in the momentum of revenue growth, with a firm order book of approximately $6.0 million for delivery in Q4 2010 and the first quarter of 2011. The orders include drive system components and solutions for some of Enova’s key customers: Freightliner, FAW, Smith UK, Smith US, and the U.S. Air Force.

and:

Enova continues to grow its battery purchases from Valence as well as develop relationships and actively evaluate battery technologies from other suppliers including a major producer of batteries for charge sustaining hybrid systems. The company sees tremendous upside to business potential as battery technology advances and product becomes available. These advancements will become critical to the value proposition of Enova’s drive system solutions.

Looks like a bingo... From the Valence home page:

The wiring connections are diff than those pictured on the Valence site, but they're probably just special runs for Smith. Valence uses 18650's of LiFeMgPO4 lithium iron magnesium phosphate...

Cheers
LocK

 

[grindz145]

Longevity is definitely the allure of LiFePO4.Even LiPo can't touch this. {tempted to insert MC Hammer youtube cut...errr.errrr no}

 

[Samba]

They used valence, then april '09 announced a partnership with Kokam. Formed a joint venture with Dow, Kokam and Smith's parent, but now they seem to be out of that partnership and talking about LFP batteries which Kokam doesn't do. Maybe it is Valence again?

Kokam talks about 2000 cycle LiPo batteries but actually rates its own for 800 cycles.

 

[pintofguinness]

Just for your interest, I using 18pcs Saft 6V 136Ah NiCd flooded batteries and 14 years old. 90000km driven and they give still 140Ah out which is more than manufacturer promises. They advertising 1500 cycles but... Have thinking to change LiFePo4 but dont know is there reason for it. Maybe weight, this pack is 320kg. German company sells some 5 years old NiCd flooded for some 400e per pcs which have been in some powerplant backups.

 

[BMI]

what cells do they use, Lock?
MC

Valence uses their small 18650 size Saphion cells to make up their large format packs. Below is a photo showing what the cells look like. This is a box load of cells I had left over from a few years ago when I was offered to become a Valence representative/distributor.

View attachment Valence Saphion 18650e cells 001.JPG

 

[dogman dan]

A lot would depend on the charging regimen used. If kept between 20% and 80% I'd find it very plausible.

 

[Eclu Lardbut]

And because the drive train on a Smith vehicle is friction-free, it does not wear in the same way as an internal combustion engine.

Really? If they're not using maglev, they've harnessed the power of magic?

 

[JRP3]

Kokam talks about 2000 cycle LiPo batteries but actually rates its own for 800 cycles.

John Wayland has done much better than that with the Kokam's in his Zombie
http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/showpost.php?p=209509&postcount=155