Toshiba's SCiB Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Batteries to Power 70 Electric Go-Carts Running in Circuit Challenger

Toshiba Corporation today announced an order for SCiB™ lithium-ion rechargeable batteries for installation in all 70 electric go-carts running in the “Circuit Challenger” attraction at Japan’s premier racecar track, Suzuka Circuit. The order was received from Mobilityland Corporation, a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

“Circuit Challenger” operates go-carts on the eastern course of the international racing course, known worldwide as the home of the F1 Japanese Grand Prix and the Suzuka 8hours FIM Endurance World Championship. On March 19, 2016 the gasoline-powered go-carts on the course will be replaced with cutting-edge electric models running on Toshiba’s lithium-ion rechargeable battery, SCiB^TM.

Electric go-carts on “Circuit Challenger” are expected to run a maximum of 40 laps a day of the 2.2 km course, and the batteries powering them must offer high durability and fast charging. Toshiba’s SCiB™ is already used in Honda’s electric vehicle Fit EV and electric motorcycle EV-neo. Its performance and reliability in those EV has won it a high rating that resulted in the new order.

Toshiba SCiB^TM is a lithium-ion rechargeable battery that employs a unique Toshiba-developed material in the negative electrode to achieve rapid charging and a long life. Toshiba will continue to actively expand the SCiB™ business and promote a wide range of applications, including electric vehicles, household and industrial storage batteries and large electrical power storage systems.

Summary of order received

Number of vehicles - 70 go-carts
Number of batteries to be delivered - 280 modules, 6720 cells
Battery rating - Nominal Capacity 40Ah/module, Nominal Voltage 27.6V/module
Running distance per charge - 33 km (15-16 laps)

Source: http://www.toshiba.co.jp/