Lithium ion batteries as key component for energy storage in automotive and stationary applications

The lithium ion technology was introduced to the market in 1990/1991 and series production has been established in the mid 1990ies. Within only a few years, the lithium ion system has become the market leader in the rechargeable small format battery market. Lithium ion batteries are used world-wide in practically all modern portable consumer electronics, such as notebooks, mobile phones, camcorders and cameras. Due to the local concentration of the consumer electronics production in the far east countries, the experience and know how with cell manufacturing is in a considerable part limited to these countries as well. Since the beginning of 2008, numerous companies announce via press releases the application of advanced lithium ion batteries in electric vehicles, not only for light weight and industrial electric vehicles, but also adequate hybrid and even full electric vehicles usable for the typical car driver. In the German speaking region, the combination of mobility and electricity lead to the term "Electro-Mobility".