Professor Ukyo introduced two novel approaches toward metal-free cathode materials.Chika Amemiya discussed laminate cell progress at AESC and the requirements of battery materials for the xEV market.Mo Hua Yang explored recent developments for 18650 Li-Ion batteries for EV/LEV applications.Michael Lord of Toyota discussed the impact of California’s Zero Emission Vehicle regulations on the U.S. EV market.Menahem Anderman analyzed the ingredients of Tesla’s success to date and its potential impact on the xEV battery supply chain.Heinz-Willi Vassen of Audi AG co-chaired AABTAM Session 2 on energy-storage requirements and solutions for low-voltage hybrids. Ted Miller of Ford discussed advanced Li-Ion recharge energy-storage systems within the context of safety performance.Nissan’s engineering director, Takeshi Miyamoto, explored the optimizing trade-offs of battery characteristics.Bill Wallace of GM explored battery targets for future EVs and PHEVs.Monique Richard of Toyota discussed SAE xEV battery standards and activities.Many attendees gathered to review the R&D findings presented at the AABC Asia poster sessions.Minoru Noguchi co-chaired AABTAM Session 3 on batteries for high-voltage HEVs and PHEVs.  

AAB thanks the chairmen, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and poster presenters for the outstanding quality of their contributions at AABC Asia and also extends a warm thank you to the 430 attendees. The first AABC meeting in Japan provided some important insights into the direction of automotive battery technology and gave more weight to Asian perspectives.  Lithium-ion is making inroads into start/stop vehicles as evidenced by the successful “ene-CHARGE” system based on Toshiba’s SCiB cells.  Tesla’s success is spurring the industry to use batteries with higher energy density which impacts vehicle, pack, and cell design, as well as materials suppliers.