XALT’s Lithium-Ion Power Cells Provide Maximum Torque to Ford Motor Co.’s New Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 E-Dragster
Midland, Mich. (USA), Sept. 3, 2020. As Ford Motor Company’s one-off Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 factory drag racer makes its high-speed, public debut at the 65th annual DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals this weekend at Indianapolis Raceway Park, it will be powered by XALT Energy’s high-power lithium-ion cells. XALT Energy, a brand of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, is a Midland, Mich.-based global developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion technology solutions.
The battery-powered Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 prototype is purpose-built and projected to deliver more than 1,400 horsepower and more than 1,100 ft.-lbs. of instant torque to demonstrate the capabilities of an electric powertrain in one of the most demanding race environments. While typical passenger cars are equipped with lithium-ion cells that absorb and expel electricity at lower C-rates, this Mustang was adapted to use XALT Energy’s lithium-ion power cells that can charge and discharge current at such extreme rates that the racer is projected to smash the quarter-mile in the low-8-second range at more than 170 mph.
“Although our high-power cells have much more power than is required for passenger vehicles, specialty applications like electric mining vehicles, electric ferries and electric racing vehicles, where high charge and discharge rates and long life cycles are essential, are an excellent fit for XALT’s advanced cell technology,” said Lisa McKenzie, Senior Vice President, Cell Technology at XALT Energy. “In this case, XALT power cells will provide the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 with maximum discharge power at the start of the race to provide that 1,100 ft.-lbs. of instant torque. When the car hits the track, we will be cheering for a record run.”
A leader of advanced lithium-ion energy storage technologies, XALT manufactures cells and complete battery systems that are typically found in electric transit buses, electric motor coaches, electric school buses, electric MHD trucks, electric and hybrid ships and electric construction and mining equipment. XALT also has a history in racing, having been the cell provider for the first four seasons of the Formula E series.
The company’s world-class research and development facilities are equipped to develop, test and bring new materials and next-generation lithium-ion technology to market quickly.
According to Ford, to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the project, Ford Performance has teamed up with several capable and specialized suppliers:
- MLe Racecars – Vehicle builder, designer, integrator and tuner
- Watson Engineering – Chassis support and development, roll cage builder
- AEM EV – Software and motor calibration and controls
- Cascadia – Inverter and Motor supplier
For media inquiries, please contact:
Cheryl Eberwein
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies
Director, Corporate Communications
Telephone: 734-451-0020
Fax: 734-451-0043
[email protected]