Advanced Batteries On Display

Advanced Battery Technologies (ABAT) Inc, a Chinese battery manufacturer, produces polymer Lithium-Ion (PLI) batteries for electronic devices, automobiles and motorcycles. The batteries are also referred to as lithium polymer batteries.  ABAT also bids on contracts for heavy electric powered vehicles such as buses and sanitation trucks.

For the Beijing Olympics ABAT produced the PLI batteries that power 50 electric buses used to transport athletes and officials. The company also produced electric sanitation trucks for the Olympics and supplied batteries for the display hall of Ice and Snow Culture. ABAT is also host for the cultural exhibit at the Olympics.

PLI batteries have been around since 1996. They are safer than regular Lithium-Ion, more robust and have a 20% greater capacity. The main reasons behind the advantages is that the electrolyte is not held in an organic solvent but instead is encased in a solid polymer composite. No battery cell casing is required and this results in a design volume 20% less than a Lithium-Ion battery. Unlike Lithium-Ion, the batteries are not prone to explosions.

Since there is no metal battery cell casing the battery can be shaped to fit the vehicle it is targeted for, making them an ideal choice for use in buses or other larger vehicles.