| Future technology | Volkswagen electric technology plans |
Volkswagen has announced that it is working on a new energy storage system. In partnership with Sanyo, VW is developing a new generation of lithium-ion batteries that it says will give a longer charge life and greater range for its electrically-powered cars.
The new batteries will be lighter, smaller and more powerful than existing offerings, says VW. Lithium-ion technology will help with all of these aims and VW claims that this type of battery is ideally suited to use in cars.
Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen, said: "Our future focus will be directed at making electrically powered vehicles alongside ones driven by more efficient combustion engines. Drivetrain electrification is the way forward if we wish to secure mobility in tomorrow's world."
Volkswagen has already shown its Golf TDI Hybrid at the
Geneva motor show earlier this year. The diesel-electric hybrid has a seven-speed DSG sequential manual gearbox and can drive using diesel, electric or both power sources.
Alisdair Suttie - 29 May 2008