Tesla Will Supply Mercedes-Benz With Batteries For Electric Cars

Tesla Motors signing a deal with Governor Schwarzenegger to manufacture its next electric sedan in California instead of New Mexico (see video), a potentially much bigger deal slipped by almost unnoticed. German magazine AutomobilWoche is reporting that Tesla will be supplying lithium ion batteries to Mercedes. The German car maker plans to make electric versions of its A- and B-class vehicles, as well as its Smart cars as soon as 2010. When I called Tesla for confirmation, the spokesperson there had “no comment,” but did not deny the report either.

Mercedes-Benz claims battery breakthrough
Current mass-produced hybrid cars use nickel-metal hydride batteries, but Mercedes-Benz says it will launch the first hybrid with lithium ion batteries.

But large stacks of lithium ion batteries can overheat, a serious problem in an automotive application. Mercedes-Benz announced it has 25 patents around making lithium ion suitable for cars, detailing a key breakthrough of integrating the battery with a car's climate control system, which maintains the battery temperature at between 60 degrees and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. In this temperature range, lithium ion batteries offer optimal performance and long life.

Mercedes-Benz will first use lithium ion batteries in its S400 BlueHybrid, launching in 2009. The S400, unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show, will use a 3.5-liter V-6 engine complemented by the hybrid system. Mercedes-Benz claims 30 mpg for the S400 and a 0 to 62 mph time of 7.3 seconds with its 300 horsepower.

If Tesla can supply the drive trains for electric cars made by major auto manufacturers like Mercedes that not only would be a huge vote of confidence in its technology, it could also lead to a bigger business than selling its own cars. Are the Tesla Roadster and its upcoming sedan merely demo products for Tesla’s real business—supplying the electric “engines” for the world’s future gas-free vehicles?

The Mercedes-Benz will be using batteries produced by Johnson-Saft (Milwaukee, Wisconsin headquarters) in a plant located in France. Former Ford Executive Mary Ann Wright-former head of the Ford Escape Hybrid operations--heads Johnson-Saft.

Tesla Motors is a company looking to produce a high-performance electric sports car, and is backed by a number of high-profile investors. Introduced in June 2006 to the public complete with a test drive by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Tesla Roadster is able to go from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds (competitive with Porsche and Lamborghini models), while also delivering 100 miles per gallon (double the efficiency of the Toyota Prius). The car’s base price is around $100,000, and orders for the car in 2008 are full per teslamotors.com as of December 2007.

Among Tesla’s investors include Silicon Valley luminaries like Paypal founder Elon Musk and Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

June, 2008

The Model S is the second model from electric car manufacturer Tesla. The car has a maximum range of 300 miles and can transport five passengers. The car’s base price is $49,900.

The Roadster is being manufactured by Lotus in England. Tesla is also planning on building an electric sedan at a plant in New Mexico.

Tesla Will Supply Mercedes-Benz With Batteries For Electric Cars

I test drove the Tesla  ...I was really shocked on how good and fast they are...amazing...owning a super car and not having to pay for gas...its such a fun car....

I remember when cell phones where the size of a shoe box, now they are way better have better range and some are the size of a pack of chewing gum.
The same will happen with this technology.
Remember the first laptops? They where the size of a heavy suitcase, now look at them. Thin as a notepad.