Companies Team to Produce Li-Ion Batteries for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Race Cars

Companies Team to Produce Li-Ion Batteries for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Race Cars

You know the times they are a-changin' when a battery maker and a racecar manufacturer team up to market specialized lithium-ion batteries to power plug-in hybrid electric race cars.

And that is exactly what Lithium Technology Corp. of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, and Hybrid Racing AG of Walchwil, Switzerland, have done.

They announced their decision yesterday after concluding "that there is an immediate need for LTC's unique and innovative products in the advanced motor sports world," the companies said in a joint statement.

The decision follows the companies' successful work on the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle shown above, which is powered by a 3.3-liter V8 bi-turbo gas engine and a 100-kilowatt electric motor hooked up to a 9-kilowatt battery pack made by LTC.

The battery pack is charged prior to races and recoups energy from braking. The electric range of the vehicle is about 31 miles, after which onboard gasoline fuels the V8. Click here to watch a video of the racecar in action.

Scott Doggett, Contributor

Scott Doggett:  is an AutoObserver.com Associate Editor.