Tuesday, April 29, 2008

A123Systems opens plug-in modules to consumers

Lithium-ion battery maker A123Systems Inc. has publicly launched its Hymotion product line, which can convert Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles into 100 mpg, electric-powered plug-in hybrids to consumers.

The Watertown-based company will continue to sell the conversion modules to fleet and government buyers. Officials report there are more than 50 vehicles on the road today as part of corporate and government demonstration programs.

Hymotion units will be available online through A123's Hymotion website or through a network of dealers that is in the process of being formed, according to A123 officials.

The dealer network will begin with dealers in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Boston and Washington, D.C. A123Systems has also been working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and has outlined a path for conditional approval to sell up to 500 conversion modules in the state of California to begin its consumer launch.

The Hymotion conversion module has been tested at the Argonne National Labs as well as Idaho National Labs, and officials at A123Systems report the kit meets or exceeds all federal requirements for crash-worthiness and emissions control. According to company documents, the conversion can enable a Toyota Prius to reach fuel economies of more than 100 mpg.

Plug-in conversion modules are available for Toyota Prius vehicles built from 2004 to 2008 and installation at the new dealers are expected to begin in July. The units aren't cheap, however, costing more than $10,000 with shipping.

Founded in 2001, A123Systems is bringing nanophosphate-based lithium-ion batteries to a number of applications, including vehicles and power tools.

The company has raised more than $102 million in private funding from investors including Alliance Capital, FA Technology Ventures, North Bridge Venture Partners, Sequoia Capital, OnPoint, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Motorola, Qualcomm and Desh Deshpande, the company's chairman.