Ener1 Installs First Phase Production Line

Ener1's battery company, EnerDel, has installed its first mass production line for Li-ion battery electrodes at its facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. The line is capable of producing the electrode equivalent of 5,000 25kW hybrid electric vehicle batteries per month. Included in the production line are two Hirano Tecseed coaters, along with the required facility infrastructure. "We've invested in the best production equipment for launching the manufacturing program," says Ulrick Grape, EnerDel's president. "From a quality control standpoint, it is vital to have two coating lines to allow us to handle the coating of anodes and cathodes separately to avoid any contamination." EnerDel's production line supports its work with the United States Advanced Battery Consortium, which is focused on securing a supply of U.S.-based Li-ion batteries for the U.S. auto industry.