Recent Progress in the Development of Ovonic Nickel Metal Hydride Battteries for Electric Vehicles

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries employing hydride materials based upon the principles of disorder by the control of short and intermediate range order such as V-Ti-Zr-Ni based alloys have been extensively developed by Ovonic Battery Company (OBC) for both portable electronic and electric vehicle applications. Metal hydride alloys of this family can be engineered to provide the proper hydrogen storage properties together with the desired electrochemical properties required for battery applications. Application of Ovonic technology for EV applications has been demonstrated by successful scale-up from wound cell designs to prismatic designs. Recent test results are presented which show the excellent performance characteristics of the Ovonic NiMH battery for EV applications. High gravimetric and volumetric energy densities, high peak powers, and excellent cycle life have been demonstrated for this battery by OBC and verified by independent testing laboratories. Energy densities of 80 Wh/kg have been demonstrated in prototype cells. The battery is totally sealed and maintenance free and has been shown to be environmentally safe.