Toshiba Corporation and Volkswagen AG are set to team up on three major projects: the production of electric drive units, the development of power electronics for Volkswagen’s new line of vehicles, and the manufacturing of high-specific density batteries for the new generation electric-powered vehicles.

These three efforts are supposed to work towards Volkswagen’s goal this year, which is to produce safe, affordable, and emission-free large-scale electric vehicles. This was reported by Volkswagen’s Chairman of the Board of Management, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn.

Eventually, Volkswagen will be producing lithium-ion power technology hand-in-hand with Toshiba Corporation. Based on the direction of the three projects, the Volkwagen AG is aiming for long-term plans that are bound to find their own niches in the production of affordable hybrid and electric vehicles a few years from now.

Toshiba is one of the world’s leaders in electronics and battery production, with their recent Super Charge ion Battery (SCiB) lithium-ion batteries. The SCiB is pegged to be used in hybrid and electric cars very soon. The battery line has only recently been commercialized in Japan.

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Chery, China’s biggest independent car manufacturer, has finally unleashed its first all-battery operated electric car, the S18 EV. The small four-door vehicle was shown as the battery-operated edition of the S18/QQ2 that was revealed at the 2008’s Beijing Auto show. Chery is the second car company in China to produce a full electric vehicle (BYD was the first).

The S18 Electric edition has a noted range of 150 km and holds a top speed of 120 km/h. It has an in-house design, and features batteries of lithium ion phosphate (LiFePO4). The charging time is for 4-6 hours and fast charging will supply 80% capacity in just 30 minutes. It also bears the 336 volt system that permits 40 Kw motor to take it up to the winding speed of an amazing 120 kph (75 mph).

Chery Auto’s deputy general manager Yuan Tao announced that the S18 EV made use of the world’s advanced technology and offers a very effective energy conservation mechanism.

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