Panasonic develops battery system to improve fuel efficiency of idle-stop cars

Panasonic Corp. has developed a battery system to improve the fuel efficiency of idle-stop vehicles and expects to have the system installed in cars to be launched as early as next year, company officials said.
The company is aiming to expand sales of the new system in other Asian countries, as well as Japan and Europe, where cars with an idle-stop feature are becoming popular.
The system, which uses nickel-metal hydride batteries, allows energy generated during braking to be stored in the batteries to assist the motor when starting a vehicle, lowering gasoline consumption.
The system also helps to considerably extend the life of batteries powering air conditioners and car navigation systems when vehicle engines stop.