Fisker Signs Deal With Canadian Firm to Supply Karma Plug-In's Lithium Batteries
By John O'Dell March 13, 2009
Fisker Automotive
moved its Karma plug-in hybrid (right)
a step closer to production this week, signing a deal for Advanced Lithium Power Inc.
to provide battery packs for the exotic sedan.
The deal,first reported in the Los Angeles Times, involves Fisker making a large cash investment in ALP and taking two seats on the Canadian battery company's board of directors.
Batteries for the Karma will be rated at 22.6 kilowatt-hours, sufficient to propel the car for up to 50 miles before its internal combustion engine would kick on to continue generating electricity.
As a so-called extended range plug-in, the Karma is always propelled by its electric motor, with the gas engine serving only as a generator.
Combined travel on a fully charged battery and a tank of gas is 250 miles, the company said.
The Times also reports that while Fisker still plans to begin production in the fourth quarter, the first customers won't receive their cars until the spring of 2010.
The company, headed by noted auto designer Henrik Fisker, says it has received cash deposits for 1,300 cars and expects to sell 7,500 next year with peak production and sales at 15,000 a year.
Pricing will start at $87,900 with two upgraded versions that will top out at $104,000. Fisker also has said it will build a convertible model but hasn't announced production or price plans.
How much of the price is tied up in the car's batteries isn't being disclosed, but as the newspaper article points out (and we first reported) the 56 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack in the all-electric Tesla costs $36,000.
LEAVE A COMMENT
I'd much rather see the batteries come from the Great White North than the other side of the world.
Go canucks!
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