Fiat 500EV on track

Back in March this year, Chrysler announced its plans to build an all electric Fiat 500. Called the 500EV, the model is slated to start production in 2012, and has garnered a lot of attention from electric car enthusiasts.

Then in August, the supplier to the battery packs, Massachusetts based A123, abruptly dropped out of the project, stating that another battery supplier had come forward offering to take on the project for less and that the scope of the program had shrunk.

Chrysler thanked A123 for their work on the project but did not comment any farther.

This fueled speculation as to who was this new supplier and if the 500EV would be stalled.

Now we have our answers, earlier this week, SB LiMotive announced in a press release that they will manufacture lithium-ion cells for the 500EV and the production time frame is still 2012.

This is good news for electric fans! Below is the press release with the details:


SB LiMotive to provide lithium-ion battery packs for Fiat 500EV

- Supply of lithium-ion battery packs marks first step for SB LiMotive
to the U.S. EV market
- Battery supplier for the first commercial electric vehicle program of
Chrysler LLC and the Fiat Group
- Production on the all-new full electric vehicle to begin in 2012

ORION, Mich. � SB LiMotive, the joint venture of Samsung SDI and Bosch, has been awarded the business to supply the lithium-ion battery packs for the
Fiat 500EV, which will be launched in the U.S. market in 2012.

The Fiat 500EV, which demonstrates the benefits of the Chrysler and Fiat alliance, will be an environmentally friendly, clean, and quiet vehicle for the U.S. subcompact passenger car market.

The Fiat 500EV powertrain is comprised of three main systems: high power electric powertrain module, advanced lithium-ion battery and an EV control unit to manage power flows. All powertrain engineering and vehicle development will take place at Chrysler Group headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. Vehicle pricing and other specifics will be announced closer to the Fiat 500EV launch.



According to Dr. Joachim Fetzer, Executive Vice President of SB LiMotive, �Chrysler indicated that SB LiMotive earned this business because we can supply high-quality lithium-ion battery packs in the quantities needed, ontime to the market. Additionally, SB LiMotive has the technical expertise Chrysler will require as it launches this important program. Our established global footprint was a further strong point in our favor. We look forward to partnering with Chrysler in bringing this exciting new vehicle to market.�

The battery packs are developed in Orion, Mich.; the battery cells will be produced in Korea; and the battery packs will be assembled in Springboro, Ohio.



In an effort to intensify the benefits of the alliance between Chrysler LLC and Fiat Group in electrification of powertrain, Fiat 500EV will be an outstanding example. The Fiat 500 is a small, lightweight platform perfect for integrating electric-vehicle technology. Chrysler is the vehicle electrification center of competence for both Chrysler LLC and the Fiat Group.



About SB LiMotive
SB LiMotive was established in September 2008 by Bosch and Samsung SDI. It bundles the know-how of both its parent companies. Samsung SDI brings its extensive large-scale production experience into the partnership as well as manufacturing competence in the area of lithium-ion cell production. Additionally Samsung is an innovation and development leader in lithium-ion technology for use in a wide range of applications, including laptops, cell
phones and power tools. Bosch contributes its comprehensive automotive systems competence which is being applied to integrating the lithium-ion technology into the vehicle. Bosch has extensive experience in hybrid and electric drive technology as well as power electronics, electric motors, transmissions and DC/DC converters.

For more information, visit SB LiMotive here


Source: SB LiMotive