Japanese electronics giant Toshiba Corp. said Friday is working jointly with Mitsubishi to develop lithium-ion battery system for use in automaker’s electric cars.
Toshiba has developed a fast-charging long life lithium-ion battery called SCiB (Super Charge ion Battery), which it plans to adapt for electric cars.
The use of new oxide-based materials in the current SCiB cells results in capacity loss after 3000 charge-discharge cycles of less than 10%; SCiB cells achieve more than 6000 charge-discharge cycles. The SCiB can recharge up to 90 percent of full capacity in less than five minutes.
Presently, batteries for Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV electric cars are being supplied by Lithium Energy Japan, which is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Motors, battery maker GS Yuasa Corp., and trading house Mitsubishi Corp.
Toshiba, meanwhile, is also cooperating with Volkswagen to develop automaker’s next-generation electric cars.