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Dana Battery Cooling Technology Featured on All-New Chevrolet Volt

The battery cooling technology, which is new to the automotive market, prevents the Volt’s lithium-ion battery from overheating by enabling efficient heat transfer between the battery pack’s 200-plus cells. This occurs as battery coolant circulates around individual plates located between the cells. In colder climates, the plates also can generate higher cell temperatures to create an optimal operating environment.

GM has said that the Volt’s battery is covered by an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

"As a leader in thermal technologies, Dana is eager to apply its expertise to the emerging electric vehicle market," said Marty Bryant, Dana president of Light Vehicle Products and Operational Excellence. "Working in partnership with General Motors, we were able to create a custom solution fitted to the unique needs of this advanced battery."

Dana’s battery cell cooling technology is manufactured using a cost-effective, proprietary clean nickel-brazing process, which provides improved battery system durability. Made of lightweight aluminum, the cooling plates offer improved energy efficiency and are easily recyclable, contributing to the overall environmental benefit of the Volt, which was named the 2011 Green Car of the Year® and North American Car of the Year.

Designed to recognize environmental achievement in the automotive industry, the Green Car of the Year award program considered dozens of new vehicle models and analyzed the environmental accomplishments of each. The winner was selected by several nationally recognized environmental organizations and was presented in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The North American Car of the Year award recognizes a "substantially changed" vehicle that has set new benchmarks in the class in which it competes. Vehicles are evaluated on a number of factors including value for the dollar, innovation, handling, performance, safety, and driver satisfaction. The award, selected by a jury of automotive journalists was announced last month at the North American International Auto Show.

"Both legislation and consumer demand are furthering the advancement of hybrid and electric powertrains daily," said Ted Zielinski, director of advanced thermal engineering for the Dana Power Technologies Group. "We look forward to strengthening longstanding relationships with automakers such as General Motors to develop and implement the components that ensure their success in today’s marketplace."

Dana is a world leader in the supply of driveline products (axles and driveshafts), power technologies (sealing and thermal-management products), and genuine service parts for light and heavy manufacturers. The company’s customer base includes virtually every major vehicle manufacturer in the global automotive, commercial vehicle, and off-highway markets. Based in Maumee, Ohio, the company employs approximately 22,500 people in 26 countries and projected 2010 sales of approximately $6.1 billion.

www.dana.com