Washington—In response to its members’ participation in the production of large format lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric and electric vehicles, the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association has proposed modifications to battery tests contained in the United Nations’ Manual of Tests and Criteria. The continued reliance on an outdated testing scheme could stifle development of a new generation of environmentally-friendly products, PRBA warned.

“The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is the unsung hero of the consumer electronics revolution and powers the ubiquitous necessities of modern life—cell phones, notebook computers, digital cameras, MP3 players, portable DVDs, PDAs and power tools,” said PRBA Executive Director George Kerchner. “Now the focus has expanded to larger lithium ion batteries and their equally dramatic potential. These large-format batteries provide cutting-edge solutions to the most vexing problems of our time such as global warming and the addiction to carbon-based fuels,” Kerchner added.

The UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods last updated its tests for lithium batteries in 2000, when its primary focus was on small lithium cells and batteries. At that time, no one could have anticipated the significant gains in lithium-ion battery technology, especially the widespread use of large-format batteries by the military and the aerospace, automobile and telecommunications industries. However, the existing set of tests in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria pose significant technical and financial challenges for large-format battery manufacturers, PRBA said in its filing with the UN.

PRBA’s proposal would eliminate the disparities between testing “small” batteries and large format batteries and include new definitions that clarify when battery components – cells, batteries, battery modules, and battery assembles – are subject to the UN testing requirements. Differentiating between these various components is critical to ensuring the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria remain current with industry practices and terminology.

In developing its proposals, PRBA has worked with member companies that manufacture large format lithium-ion batteries as well as hybrid-electric and electric vehicle manufacturers. PRBA, the rechargeable battery industry’s leading trade association, has increasingly expanded its membership to include companies that manufacture or utilize large format batteries.  A list of PRBA’s members can be found at http://www.prba.org/membership/membership_directory/Default.ashx

PRBA will formally introduce its recommendations for large-format lithium ion batteries at a July meeting of the UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods in Geneva, Switzerland.  Copies of PRBA’s proposal can be downloaded at http://www.prba.org/Laws_and_Regulations/Default.ashx (follow link to “International”).

About PRBA

The members of PRBA deliver a safe, efficient, and essential power source for notebook computers, cell phones, power tools, PDAs, MP3 players, hybrid-electric and electric vehicles, and other battery-powered equipment.  PRBA members produce more than half of the world’s lithium-ion cells and account for billions of dollars in annual worldwide sales.  With more than 70 members, PRBA is widely recognized as the nation’s authoritative source for information on rechargeable batteries. Visit PRBA online at www.PRBA.org