Recently, the two partner companies have signed a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that sets the parameters of their relationship with each other. The MOU centers on Ener1’s entry into the Japanese market.

ITOCHU has established networks and partnerships with Japan’s automotive community. With this strategic partnership, Ener1’s entry into the new market should be smooth sailing.

This partnership also sets the floor for Ener1’s entry into Japan’s solar power market. This new niche provides further possibilities for Ener1’a already thriving business.

To date, Ener1 is the sole company capable of large-scale lithium-ion production in the United States. It produces enough batteries to support 1.17 megawatt hours of electricity every year. With an even stronger partnership with ITOCHU, Ener1 is looking at a 3.12 megawatt hours expansion this year.

Both companies are shaking on wide expansions in both in the US and Japanese markets. ITOCHU is thinking about producing an equipment line which will give credit to Ener1 in ITOCHU’s own expansions in the Japanese market scene.

With this recent MOU, ITOCHU is hoping to make the company’s international presence even stronger. They hope that the partnership with Ener1 will open the doors into the Tier One supply community and Asian auto manufacturers like Hyundai or Toyota around the globe.

The L-ion can run for 75 miles on a single full charge. GoinGreen will also build fast charge stations that can boost the battery power up to 90% in just an hour or give the car a full charge in 1.5 hours.

The L-ion derives its technology from the G-Wiz DNA and improved with new safety and performance technologies. Some of the notable features are:

• Improved ranged
• Beefed up acceleration
• Better charging efficiency that requires 20% less energy requirement per charge
• Decreased charging time on a normal duration of 6 hours
• Off-board fast charge capability
• Maintenance free batteries

The battery of the G-Wiz L-ion comes with a three year warranty. This release of the battery is around 15% lighter than the previous versions which contribute to better maneuverability and faster acceleration. The top speed of the G-Wiz L-ion was plotted at 51 mph which is good enough for urban driving.

The manufacturer is currently accepting orders for the L-ion and the first deliveries of the car are expected by May 2009. The L-ion comes with a sticker price of £15, 795.

Existing owners of GoinGreen cars like the G-wiz i or G-Wiz ac may upgrade to avail of the lithium ion technology. Price is yet to be disclosed by the manufacturer.

The goal of the concept car is to create a smart driving environment in more efficient vehicles that have lighter bodies and good engine fuel economics. With the re3, Johnson Controls eyes all green bases and is sure to hit a run.

The tag re3 actually means re-think, re-new, and re-spond. The car draws a new picture of what small cars should be like in the future. Through innovative engineering the re3 Concept aims to deliver an overall experience of comfort and sustained appeal with the consumers.

Johnson Controls responds to the demand of the market for smaller cars with highly efficient engines. They also focus on the current call for more environment-friendly vehicles. Basically, re3 Concept is built on the principle of being more on being less. The cars are built with more room while the car occupies less space.

A number of Johnson Controls’ innovation is evident on the re3 Concept:

The car is uses a hybrid system which still leaves a lot of space for five adult occupants. The seats are also arranged to promote conversational seating and foster interaction among occupants.

The driver also gets an idea about the condition of the car with the extended cluster of gauges. Easy control and monitoring are facilitated through touch screen displays.

All materials used in the interiors are renewable and highly considered as eco-friendly. More photos of the Johnson Controls RE3 Concept on Green Car Tips!