WARRENDALE, PA - The continued development of new and advanced battery technologies will play a critical role as vehicle manufacturers increase the availability of hybrid-electric vehicles, move toward the implementation of plug-in hybrid-electric and battery-exclusive vehicles, and continue research into other variations of electric-related vehicle propulsion systems. To address this growing technology and to help standardize development, SAE International is creating a new vehicle battery standards committee that will serve as a center for standardization.

“We, along with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM), recognize the importance that batteries and battery technology play in the design and development of new vehicles. SAE International has long been at the forefront of standards development and we feel that this committee will fill a crucial need in the development of this technology,” says David L. Schutt, PhD, chief executive officer, SAE International.

> The new SAE committee will initially focus on standardizing battery performance and safety and will assure harmonization with other standards development in the U.S. and around the world. "AIAM members look forward to the opportunity to participate in the new SAE Vehicle Battery Standards Committee,” says Michael J. Stanton, president and chief executive officer of AIAM. “The work of this committee will be of great value to vehicle and battery manufacturers, and in particular will help assure appropriate levels of safety are incorporated into battery systems for vehicle propulsion.”

The SAE Vehicle Battery Standards Committee will report to the SAE Motor Vehicle Council, which is responsible for development of all passenger car, light duty truck and van standards within SAE International.

For more information, visit www.sae.org.