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 help standardize development, SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers) is creating a new Vehicle Battery Standards Committee, which will serve as a center for standardization.

The new SAE Vehicle Battery Standards 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. The 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. (SB)