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TECHNOLOGY
Johnson Controls and
Toshiba join forces
to bring leading
automakers low-
voltage lithium-ion
solutions
Johnson Controls Power Solutions
and Toshiba Infrastructure Systems &
Solutions Corporation have partnered
to deliver low-voltage lithium-
ion solutions to meet automaker
demands for improved efficiency,
lower costs and less complexity.
Under the agreement, Johnson
Controls will collaborate with Toshiba
to develop and manufacture lithium-
ion batteries at its Holland, MI, plant
and pair them with existing lead-acid
battery technology as part of dual-
battery systems.
Dual-battery vehicles are expected
to be the fastest-growing form of
electrification and by 2025 will
account for approximately 20
percent of new vehicles built globally,
according to IHS, Markit. Adoption
rates will be even greater in locations
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December 2018
with strict fuel economy standards.
Because paired systems require
minimal powertrain alterations,
automakers can deploy them across
multiple vehicle lines with a lower
investment than other electrified
powertrains. Consumers also benefit,
as paired systems achieve up to 8
percent greater fuel efficiency than a
conventional systems.
“Low-voltage dual-battery
technology is the next step in the
evolution of vehicle systems that
helps to strike a balance between
consumer demands, increasing
regulations and automaker
economics,” said Brian Cooke,
group vice president, Products,
Power Solutions, Johnson Controls.
“Combining Johnson Controls’
partnerships and battery system
capabilities with Toshiba’s lithium-ion
cell expertise provides automakers
with a compelling, competitive