Blue Energy Co., Ltd. (President: Kenji Kohno; located in Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto; hereinafter referred to as "the Company") announced today that the lithium-ion batteries EHW5, manufactured and sold by the Company, have been adopted by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (President: Takahiro Hachigo; Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo) for its new hybrid models FREED and FREED+ launched on September 16, 2016.

The Company succeeded in boosting the capacity and reducing the weight of the new model lithium-ion batteries "EHW5" installed in FREED and FREED+ . They are 17% lighter and 7% smaller than conventional products but offer equivalent or more capacity and output performance as well as safety and durability.

The battery efficiently stores regenerative energy, which is collected at deceleration and supports the smooth and powerful acceleration performance by assisting the engine and the motor.

The Company started mass production of lithium-ion batteries in 2011 and has installed them in more than 600,000 vehicles cumulatively through August 2016, which would translate to more than 30 million cells, an impressive track record (in more than 5 years of mass production).

Blue Energy will continue to develop products steadily based on the fundamental concept of total balance focused on safety and durability, ultimately to contribute to the establishment of a green energy society.

Specifications of EHW5 cell
Model nameEHW5
Capacity (Ah)*15.0
Voltage (V)3.6
Dimensions (mm)W120.0×D12.5×H(case)85.0
Weight(kg)0.229
Operating temperature range-30℃ ~ 55℃
Storage temperature range-40℃ ~ 65℃
Maximum current (A)*2300
*1 Capacity at charging voltage of 4.2V
*2 Depends on the specified range of temperature and time
Vehicles installed with the Company’s lithium-ion batteries
Vehicle nameProduct name LaunchedMarkets
CR-ZEH5Sep 28, 2012Japan, North America
Accord HYBRIDEH5Jun 20, 2013Japan, North America
Accord PLUG-IN HYBRIDEH19Jun 20, 2013Japan, North America
FIT HYBRIDEH5Sep 6, 2013Japan
VEZEL HYBRIDEH5Dec 20, 2013Japan
GRACE HYBRIDEH5Dec 1, 2014Japan
JADE HYBRIDEH5Feb 13, 2015Japan
LEGEND EH5Feb 20, 2015Japan
SHUTTLE HYBRIDEH5May 15, 2015Japan
CLARITY FUEL CELLEHW5Mar 10, 2016Japan, U.S
Accord HYBRIDEHW5May 26, 2016Japan, North America, China, Asia
NSXEHW5Aug 25, 2016Japan, North America, China
New FREED HYBRIDEHW5Sep 16, 2016Japan
Profile of Blue Energy Co., Ltd.
Company nameBlue Energy Co., Ltd.
EstablishedApril 1, 2009
Location1-37, Osadano-cho, Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto
Capital7.5 billion yen
InvestorsGS Yuasa International Ltd. 51%
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 49%
BusinessManufacture, sale, research and development of high-performance lithium-ion batteries

■FREED

■EHW5 cell and module