Rechargeable Zinc-Air Batteries in Electric Vehicle Applications

Dreisbach ElectroMotive, Inc. (DEMI) is developing a maintenance-free rechargeable Zinc-Air Battery that operates at room temperature. This new battery has an energy density of 200 Wh/kg or about eight times conventional Nickel-Cadmium or Lead-Acid technology now used in electric vehicle applications.

This paper will cover the performance characteristics of DEMI's Zinc-Air Batteries to date and the results of a 48-cell test in a Chrysler minivan* which was converted to electric drive under the sponsorship of Southern California Edison. In addition, work in progress on a 168 cell long range vehicle configuration will be presented.