Abstract
A novel bipolar packaging design for a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery has been developed. As with other bipolar designs, advantages include reduced battery resistance and volume when compared with more conventional approaches. These advantages make the bipolar NiMH an excellent energy and power source for existing and emerging high voltage, high power applications. In this paper, we give an account of our recent experiences with the design, with a focus on designs for high power batteries for hybrid electric vehicles and high energy batteries for plug-in hybrids. In addition, we discuss results from a hybrid electric vehicle to plug-in hybrid electric vehicle conversion utilizing a high energy bipolar NiMH battery. The conversion and results demonstrate the successful implementation of the battery design in an automotive application.