EnerDel and Nissan Motor Co. have joined together to conduct research into conductive materials for batteries powering EVs and hybrids.  The research will be co-funded by both companies and will focus on finding a new electrolyte material to conduct electricity between the electrodes of the battery.

 The program got underway earlier this week at the Argonne National Laboratory in the Chicago area.  According to the CEO of EnerDel Charles Gassenheimer, "The project is about continuing the evolution of a critical technology."  Gassenheimer went on to say, "Nissan is one of the leading companies driving the electric vehicle market today.  Over 12 months of discussions on this effort, our management and technical teams have had a tremendous opportunity to get to know one another.  We are looking forward to successful realization of the project's important goals."

The research effort between the two companies will focus solely on the electrolyte of the battery.  EnerDel has worked with Argonne on many projects in the past.  They have received awards for some of their combined efforts including the development of the lithium titanate battery technology.  The research lab and EnerDel have a successful past and Nissan hopes to join in the successes. 

Funding from Nissan will provide the means for the research effort to go into full swing and if successful, Nissan will have access to a breakthrough battery material.

As Dr. A; Sattelburger of Argonne said, "Our collaboration symbolizes how the best and brightest minds in America can work hand in hand with captains of industry to create best in class technology solutions.  This is an opportunity to make a major new contribution to the future of electric drive in the U.S. and to forge a closer relationship with a major global car maker."

Bringing together the premier battery maker in the U.S., with a leading research lab, and a major automaker is a grand accomplishment.  With funds ready, and research underway, we can only hope for good things.  The electrolyte research could provide a breakthrough in battery technology and these companies yearn to be in from the beginning.

We will update you as the research progresses, stay with us for more information.

Source:  EnerDel Press Release

LithiumIon Battery Maker EnerDel Teams With Nissan

to Research Key Electric Vehicle Battery Material

Research to be Centered at Argonne National Lab in Chicago

(Indianapolis – July 30, 2009) Advanced lithiumion automotive battery producer EnerDel and the Nissan Motor Co. of Japan are teaming up to research a new generation of electrical conductive material intended to reduce cost and improve the performance of electric and hybrid vehicle batteries.

“This project is about continuing the evolution of a critical technology,” said Charles Gassenheimer, CEO and Chairman of EnerDel parent company Ener1, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEV). “Nissan is one of the leading companies driving the electric vehicle market today. Over 12 months of discussions on this effort, our management and technical teams have had a tremendous opportunity to get know one another. We are looking forward to successful realization of this project’s important goals.”

EnerDel recently cut the ribbon at one of the most advanced battery production lines for large format cells at its Indianapolis plant. The facility is currently the only high volume manufacturing facility for automotive lithiumion batteries in the U.S.

Under the program started today, EnerDel and Nissan will cofund research of a new electrolyte, a viscous liquid that serves as the essential conductive material between battery electrodes, at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) outside Chicago. EnerDel and Argonne recently cooperated on the development of the lithium titanate battery chemistry, for which they shared the prestigious R&D 100 Award for excellence in technology and innovative design from R&D Magazine, and an Excellence in Technology Transfer award.“Argonne and EnerDel have been working successfully together for years to advance electric drive in the U.S.,” said Dr. Al Sattelberger of Associate Lab Director of ANL. “Our collaboration symbolizes how the best and brightest minds in America can work hand in hand with captains of industry to create best

inclass technology solutions.”

“We are pleased to pursue another breakthrough technology working with the leading national lab in the U.S. for transportation and one of the world’s most technologically innovative car companies,” said EnerDel Chief Operating Officer Naoki Ota. “This is an opportunity to make a major new contribution to the future of electric drive in the U.S. and to forge a closer relationship with a major global car maker.”

About EnerDel:

EnerDel, a subsidiary of Ener1, Inc. (NASDAQ: HEV), develops and manufactures compact, high performance lithiumion batteries to power the next generation of hybrid, plugin hybrid and pure electric vehicles. Led by an experienced team of engineers and energy system experts, the company is building proprietary innovations based on technology originally pioneered at the Argonne National Laboratory. EnerDel produces its batteries at its stateoftheart facilities in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expecting to be the first company to massproduce a costcompetitive lithiumion battery for hybrid and electric vehicles. In addition to the automobile market, applications for EnerDel lithiumion battery technology include medical, military, aerospace, electric utility and other growing markets.

About Argonne National Laboratory:

The U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation’s first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leadingedge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America’s scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.