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Could the future of petroleum companies be in batteries?
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The all-electric Maya 300
It is easy to understand why oil companies in the business of extracting and transporting gas are restless at the idea car makers are now looking into the electric drive as a solution to their woes. What is in store for these giant conglomerates?
The gist is that business models need to adapt and evolve if car companies are to survive, especially if producing electric vehicles, EV that require less maintenance during the first 50,000 miles or so. Oil companies are aware that one day or later, petroleum will run out and another means of energy to fuel our transportation will have to be developed. Different companies are taking different step. While BP and Shell are concentrating on bio-fuels that keep closer to their core business strategies, ExxonMobil has worked on developing advanced lithium solutions. Sadly enough, some companies are quietly shelving green projects after their much hailed PR fanfare last year, in an attempt to give the a green face.
From Oil To Batteries. If it raises a few eye brows to see an oil company spend resources on battery technology research and development, it should not be that difficult to understand why. The petroleum giant has been working on battery technology for over a decade and they have something to show for. ExxonMobil's approach is different from the famous/infamous Chevron nickel metal hydrade, NiMH patent holder who has not made much progress with this chemistry. It has now been associated with the the movie: "Who Killed The Electric Car?"
Bringing Out Maya. So what has ExxonMobil to show? The all electric Maya 300, produced by Electrovaya, will be a neighborhood electric vehicle, NEV, meaning its speed will be no more than 35 mph, at least in the beginning. ExxonMobil has worked with Electrovaya to make the separator film for the battery, which they dubbed SuperPolymer.
While the Maya 300 might not raise the level your adrenaline deprived body, it is an interesting step forward from a company whose main business model is to find and refine petroleum.
Technically Speaking. The Maya 300 charges in 8-10 hours with a regular 110 volt outlet and should go on sale for around $20-25,000 in 2011. It uses Electrovaya's lithiated manganese oxide MN-Series batteries. It will sport 12Kw/h battery pack with an additional 27Kw/h in the extended one.
The car will be initially leased to fleets, and a partnership with with the urban car sharing program, AltCar program has been announced for Maryland.
In conclusion, while it is clear different oil companies are heading in different directions, ExxonMobil seems to be directly working on battery technology. Is it a sign they are thinking ahead of the curve or just diversifying and betting on different technologies? If all continues to go in the direction car makers have adopted, i.e. the electric drive, it would favor this company over its rivals. Time will tell.
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