The Mercedes Hybrid ML450 is left hanging after its battery maker Cobasys pulls out.
What is it? The ML450 is a joint shared platform with GM, Chrysler and BMW. The ML 450 is a Hybrid luxury SUV from Mercedes with a fuel efficiency of around 30.5 mpg. It should use a two-mode system co-developed with GM and BMW and combine a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with two electric motors and a 288-volt battery pack to produce 321 horsepower for around $50,000.
What makes this story complicated is that Cobasys is held by Chevron who holds the patents to nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery technology. Cobasys won’t deliver the battery pack for the ML450. Mercedes is suing not Cobasys but directly Chevron since it seems they were trying to hide the fact Cobasys was not doing good. Where things get more complicated is that Energy Conversion Devices is also involved with this duo, Cobasys is jointly owned by ECD and Chevron Technology Ventures. Interestingly, both companies are also working on Lithium batteries for vehicles, such as the Saturn Plug-in hybrid PHV Vue. Autobloggreen announced the ML450 could be canceled. This could leave Panasonic, another battery manufacturer in a very profitable situation.
In the wake of record profits from petroleum companies, news like these will most likely raise some concerns. It will be interesting to see how Chevron reacts to it.
Confused yet? Ah, the intricate world of hybrids and battery technology.