Category: Batteries

EVs could travel five times further with new battery tech

Tom DentonLeave a comment

A new type of automotive battery technology could be used to increase the range of electric vehicles (EVs) by up to five times.

Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a solution that enables lithium-sulpher batteries, which have a much higher capacity than the lithium-ion technology currently used in EVs, to be used in automotive applications.

Lithium-sulpher batteries were previously unsuitable for EVs as they could only be cycled (discharged and recharged) 10 times, rather than the 1,000-plus that’s required.


https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/latest-fleet-news/electric-fleet-news/2022/01/14/evs-could-travel-five-times-further-with-new-battery-tech

Lithium

Tom DentonLeave a comment

A mining company consultant with decades of experience doubts the industry will be able to support all the electric car production planned: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-22/mr-lithiumalr-warns-there-s-not-enough-battery-metal-to-go-around

Salar de Uyuni lithium Bolivia Dan Lundberg Flickr

Interestingly the research into how lithium is extracted, for example from brine, is developing quickly – but will it be quick enough to meet demand? An article from a couple of years ago here about this subject: https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/features/lithium-brine-extraction-research/#

In Cornwall a different method will be used: https://cornishlithium.com/projects/lithium-in-geothermal-waters/direct-lithium-extraction/

Battery breakthroughs

Tom Denton1 Comment

Now that much more research is going into EVs, rather than ICE vehicles, the developments will keep coming – IMHO! For example:

A new fabrication technique could allow solid-state automotive lithium-ion batteries to adopt nonflammable ceramic electrolytes using the same production processes as in batteries made with conventional liquid electrolytes.

More here: https://www.electrichybridvehicletechnology.com/features/researchers-discover-breakthrough-solid-state-ev-battery-manufacturing-technique.html