Ford using liquid battery coolant in electric cars

DETROIT

Ford says its Focus Electric compact car, which comes out late next year, will use cooled and heated liquid instead of air to regulate the temperature of its lithium-ion battery.

It's the same liquid-based technology that General Motors is using for the battery in its Chevrolet Volt electric car, which is scheduled to go on sale in November. Compact Power Inc., a subsidiary of Korean battery maker LG Chem, is making the batteries for both automakers.

The Nissan Leaf, an electric car set to debut in December, uses an air-cooled lithium-ion battery.

Ford says liquid systems are more effective than air ones at regulating battery temperatures. But the Leaf has matched the Volt's eight-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty.

Ford says the Focus Electric will be able to go 100 miles on a charge and won't have a backup gas engine, as the Volt does. It will be built in Michigan.