Daimler to share lithium-ion technology with BMW

Daimler plans to broaden the use of its lithium-ion hybrid technology after debuting it in the Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID next year, the first lithium-ion battery powered series production car. According to executive board member Thomas Weber, Daimler will share the lithium-ion technology with BMW.

“BMW will implement this technology shortly after us”¦This is part of our cooperation agreement,” Weber told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show. “We don”t want to keep this technology to ourselves”¦But of course we secured the related patents for our technology.”

Yesterday, reports flourished of BMW deciding on an electric car for the U.S. While it is still unclear on whether BMW will pick a partner to produce the car, we think it’s safe to say that Daimler will be a top pick.

The Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID will hit the roads in 2009 as a 2010 model year.

Source: Wall Street Journal (via AutoblogGreen)

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