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Mazda Panasonic Cylindrical EV Batteries Agreement

Mazda and Panasonic To Work On Cylindrical Cells For EV Batteries

The two companies have signed an agreement toward the supply of cylindrical automotive Li-ion batteries. Mazda and Panasonic Energy entered into an agreement to supply EV batteries consisting of cylindrical cells. In June 2023, the two companies commenced discussions toward building a medium-to-long-term partnership for the supply of cylindrical automotive lithium-ion batteries. More details about the exact route they will adopt, timeframe, investment, etc., will be announced later. For now, let us take a look at the salient features of cylindrical cells in EV batteries. You might also like: Top 3 Potential Alternatives To Lithium-Ion Batteries For EVs Cylindrical Cells in EV Batteries There are primarily three types of cells which find application in the automotive world – Prismatic, Cylindrical and Pouch. In recent years, the former two have found the widest application. Prismatic Cell A prismatic cell refers to a cell with its chemistry contained within a rigid casing. Its rectangular shape allows for efficient stacking of multiple units in a battery module. Prismatic cells come in two types – those with electrode sheets (anode, separator, cathode) stacked within the casing, and those with the electrode sheets rolled and flattened. In terms of performance, stacked prismatic cells, for the same volume, can release more energy at once, providing superior performance. On the other hand, flattened prismatic cells contain more energy, offering increased durability. Primarily utilized in energy storage systems and electric vehicles, prismatic cells are less suitable for smaller devices like e-bikes and cellphones due to their larger size. Hence, they are better suited for applications requiring higher energy consumption. You might also like: Lithium-Sulphur Batteries For EVs Promise 5-Min Charging Time Cylindrical Cell A cylindrical cell refers to a cell enclosed within a rigid cylinder casing. These cells are characterized by their small, round shape, allowing them to be stacked in devices of varying sizes. Unlike other battery formats, the cylindrical shape of these cells prevents swelling, a phenomenon where gases accumulate within the casing. Initially, cylindrical cells found application in laptops, typically comprising between three and nine cells. Their popularity surged when Tesla incorporated them into its earliest electric vehicles, such as the Roadster and the Model S, which housed between 6,000 and 9,000 cells. The famed 4680 is a type of cylindrical battery. You might also like: New CATL Batteries To Retain 80% Capacity After 12 Years Learn Electric Cars Says While it is difficult to set a standard in the diversified electric mobility industry just yet, it looks like the cylindrical and prismatic cells could be the long-term solutions. In fact, more battery companies are increasingly exploring the advantages associated with cylindrical cells lately. In addition to Panasonic, even the Korean battery giant, LG Energy Solution is working on 4680 cells and the production will commence at its Ochang plant in South Korea in August 2024. Even though it might be too early to call, the cylindrical cells in EV batteries seem to be winning the race at the moment.

Alternatives to Lithium-Ion EV Batteries

Top 3 Potential Alternatives To Lithium-Ion Batteries For EVs

3 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

In a world where new EV battery tech is being developed almost every other day, it seems like Lithium-ion chemistry might not be the only way forward. As the R&D in EV battery technology progresses, we might soon get acquainted with the alternatives to Lithium-ion batteries for EVs. In fact, in small volumes, there are already some of these alternatives being used. However, to have either of these on a commercially large scale is still distant. In any case, this opens up new avenues to explore to tackle the shortcomings of Lithium-ion batteries. You might also like: New CATL Batteries To Retain 80% Capacity After 12 Years Alternatives To Lithium-Ion Batteries For EVs Carmakers have been using Lithium-ion batteries in EVs on a large scale for a good part of a decade now. Its advantages include high energy density, decent safety, great affordability, long battery lifespan, power, etc. In fact, a typical Li-ion battery has an energy density of 150-220 Wh/kg. But its cons will come to the surface in times to come. This includes dependence on rare earth minerals like Nickel, Manganese and Cobalt (NMC), water and resource-intensive mining processes and complexity during recycling. Hence, researchers are looking for alternatives. Among others, the most promising options are the following: Sodium-Ion Batteries One of the most promising types of chemistry which could replace Li-ion is Sodium-ion. There are specific reasons for this. In contrast to Lithium which only has limited reserves and the mining process is resource-intensive, Sodium is one of the most abundant elements in the earth’s crust. To put things into perspective, the Sodium-to-Lithium ratio in Earth’s crust is 23,600 parts per million (ppm) to 20 ppm. Even the cost of extraction is substantially lower. Manufacturing-wise, these batteries can be produced at the same facilities and production lines as the existing Li-ion batteries. Hence, the scalability can be rapid. Moreover, Sodium possesses the ability to be stored and transported at zero volts. This results in massive safety promises. It is also low flammable, further enhancing its safety aspects. One of the downsides, however, is the low energy density – 140-160 Wh/kg. This reduces the range of EVs, which is a big obstacle in its mass adoption. Secondly, a typical Li-ion battery has a lifespan of around 8,000-10,000 charging cycles. But Sodium-ion batteries are only able to achieve around 5,000. Nevertheless, research is going on to tackle these issues in various parts of the world. You might also like: Next-Gen EV Batteries From Korean Giants Unveiled At InterBattery 2024 Solid State Batteries Solid-state batteries offer several advantages over traditional batteries. By using solid electrolytes, they mitigate the risk of dendrite formation, enhancing battery longevity. Furthermore, their reduced flammability improves safety, while their higher energy density and faster charging cycles provide superior performance. However, challenges exist, including scalability issues compared to sodium batteries, which are lower in cost and easier to integrate into existing production infrastructure. Manufacturing costs for solid-state batteries are presently higher than lithium-ion batteries, hindering widespread adoption. To propel solid battery technology, durable solid-state electrolytes must be developed, although the ideal electrolyte remains elusive. Nonetheless, companies like Solid Power are making strides, boasting a sulfide electrolyte-based battery with significantly higher energy density than lithium-ion alternatives. Solid Power aims to power 800,000 electric vehicles annually by 2028 with its solid-state technology. While solid-state batteries are commercially available for small-scale applications like wearable electronics, IoT devices, and medical implants, they are not yet suitable for large-scale energy storage. Shirley Meng emphasizes the need for realism, asserting that while viable for IoT and wearables, solid-state batteries must scale to produce terawatt hours of energy to truly impact the energy transition. You might also like: Are EVs With 1000 km Range Still A Distant Reality? Lithium-Sulphur Batteries As the name suggests, these batteries still use some Lithium. But because Sulphur is used instead of NMC, it is more abundantly available in the earth’s core and is less resource-intensive to extract. Apart from that, Sulphur is also a by-product of natural gas processing and oil refining. Till the time this process continues, there won’t be any shortage of Sulphur. The resemblance with Li-ion batteries ensures that their production is easy and scalable using the same manufacturing plants and processes. These are also considerably more energy-dense in comparison to regular Li-ion batteries. On the other end of the spectrum, there are some peculiar disadvantages which prevent commercialization at the moment. These include poor chargeability which leads to the formation of tree-like structures called dendrites. They can cause short circuits and battery failure. Also, the prototypes have just been able to work for 50 charge cycles, rendering them useless to power EVs. Interestingly, Lithium-Sulphur batteries already exist in the mass market in products like electronic gadgets and wearables. You might also like: Nyobolt Battery Can Charge Fully In Just 6 Minutes Learn Electric Cars Says The EV revolution has reached an intriguing point in its journey. In developed markets like the USA and China, the demand has slowed down. On the other hand, there are still some prominent markets where the transition is still at a much nascent stage but the demand and sales are exponential. These would be countries like India, Brazil, Thailand, Singapore, etc. In the meantime, there are new breakthroughs in EV battery technology on a daily basis. This constant development is not going to stop anytime soon. Therefore, at this point, we can infer that there will probably be no single silver bullet. Multiple batteries and technologies would co-exist depending on the use cases. That’s why it is prudent to learn about all the new EV battery types that have a shot of making it to the mass market as alternatives to Lithium-ion batteries for EVs.

Lithium Sulphur Batteries For EVs 5 Minutes Charging Time

Lithium-Sulphur Batteries For EVs Promise 5-Min Charging Time

7 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

Another day, another potentially ground-breaking EV battery technology! According to a research paper published in Nature Nanotechnology by University of Adelaide researchers, the next-gen Lithium-Sulphur batteries for EVs can be charged in less than 5 minutes. In this type of battery construction, Sulphur cathodes are used due to high energy density and Sulphur’s abundant availability. It can find applications in electronic devices including electric vehicles, as well as power grids. You might also like: New CATL Batteries To Retain 80% Capacity After 12 Years Lithium-Sulphur Batteries For EVs The research paper confirms that the energy density of Lithium-Sulphur batteries is around 550 Wh/kg. This is more than twice what the existing Lithium-ion batteries offer (around 150-200 Wh/kg). Hence, the range of EVs could benefit from using this type of battery exponentially. Note that high-powered Lithium-Sulphur batteries are already being used in mobile phones, laptops and electric vehicles. However, the biggest challenge is the charge-discharge time. It could range anywhere between 1 hour and 10 hours. This is where the breakthrough has been achieved. The researchers analysed the Sulphur reduction reaction which dictates the charge-discharge rate of Lithium-Sulphur batteries. They investigated various carbon-based transition metal electrocatalysts, including iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc during the SRR. The team designed a nanocomposite electrocatalyst made up of clusters of carbon material and cobalt-zinc (CoZn). Senior Author Professor Qiao said, “When the electrocatalyst CoZn is used in lithium-sulphur batteries, the resulting battery achieves an exceptional power-to-weight ratio. Our research shows a significant advancement, enabling lithium-sulphur batteries to achieve full charge-discharge in less than 5 minutes.” This study aims to tackle the problem of these batteries’ slow charge-discharge rates for the first time ever. You might also like: EVs To Be Cheaper To Produce Than Gas Cars By 2027 – Study Learn Electric Cars Says The lower-than-anticipated growth and demand for EVs call for a breakthrough technology to reinstate the trust of the masses in EVs. While there are myriad challenges associated with the mass adoption of electric cars, charging times and infrastructure are among the biggest ones. Hence, if that is resolved, the chances of people opting for EVs will surge significantly. We know that there are potentially transformative technologies being incepted relatively frequently. As industry professionals, we wish to stay updated with all of these. We don’t know which one(s) will emerge triumphant in times to come. It goes without saying that we might see multiple technologies for various markets depending on topography, demand, infrastructure, climatic conditions and affordability.

New CATL Batteries To Retain 80% Capacity After 12 Years

4 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

Chinese battery giant CATL and NIO have collaborated to work on new technology that will allow EV batteries to still possess 80% of capacity after 12 years of usage. As per the latest partnership with NIO and CATL, new batteries are being developed with substantially longer lifespans than the existing ones. Battery forms the single most expensive component of an electric car. In most cases, this is around 40% of the total cost of an EV. Moreover, Lithium-ion batteries have a tendency to lose capacity after usage. Hence, most carmakers offer a warranty of around 8 years. Thereafter, the battery replacement costs become a huge issue for EV owners. In order to ensure that the batteries last at least as long as the car (or approximately 10-12 years), Chinese battery giant CATL and NIO have established a partnership. They will co-develop a battery which will be able to retain 80% of its capacity even after 12 years of application. You might also like: EVs To Be Cheaper To Produce Than Gas Cars By 2027 – Study New EV Batteries From CATL and NIO NIO has created a pioneering system for keeping electric car batteries healthy. This system looks after three key factors that affect how long batteries last – temperature, how hard they’re used, and how often they’re charged. By using clever technology and a special way of swapping batteries, NIO has made sure these batteries can last a long time. Thanks to smart planning based on lots of data, NIO’s batteries can keep about 80% of their power even after being used for 12 years. Plus, NIO has worked hard to make batteries that last longer. They’ve studied the materials that make up batteries, like the stuff inside the battery that helps it work, and the liquid it’s filled with. This research has led to better batteries. NIO has become really good at all stages of creating batteries, from making the materials to testing them out. They’ve even got over a thousand patents for their technology. More than a hundred of them focus on making batteries last longer. You might also like: Next-Gen EV Batteries From Korean Giants Unveiled At InterBattery 2024 New Technology By CATL CATL and NIO also believe that between 2025 and 2030, there will be around 20 million electric vehicles which will come out of the warranty period. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the vehicles won’t be in an unusable condition. But the owners will have to shell out a bomb to replace the batteries. To tackle, that CATL has been working on innovative methods to prolong the lifecycle of EV batteries to upto 12-15 years. CATL has created new technology to make battery packs last longer. They’ve invented things like a special Solid Electrolyte Interphase film that can fix itself and add more lithium to batteries. By working together, the companies aim to build a partnership that benefits them both in the long run. These batteries will complement NIO’s battery-swapping business immensely. You might also like: Are EVs With 1000 km Range Still A Distant Reality? Learn Electric Cars Says We are still, essentially, in the first leg of the EV revolution when it comes to battery replacement. The mass-market EV sales only commenced a good couple of years ago. Hence, in the next 5-6 years, we will have millions of cases of battery replacements as the EVs run out of OEM warranty. That will be yet another major hurdle for electric cars to overcome in order to get the trust of potential EV buyers. Therefore, if there is a major breakthrough in this regard prior to that, the entire perception about EVs might change. We can only wait and see how things transpire in this case.

Korean EV Batteries at InterBattery 2024

Next-Gen EV Batteries From Korean Giants To Be Unveiled At InterBattery 2024

4 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

While we always keep talking about revolutionary ideas when it comes to EV batteries, it is intriguing to witness what the industry giants are planning to power future mobility. Some of the world’s biggest Korean electronics companies will demonstrate their next-gen EV batteries at the InterBattery 2024 exhibition in Seoul, South Korea. The event will occur between March 6 and March 8, 2024. The annual trade show attracts top battery players from across the world to showcase their future concepts and the latest technologies to transform the electric car domain. In fact, a total of around 580 companies will present their technologies at this event. It will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Battery Industry Association. The three top Korean companies we will discuss are LG, SK and Samsung. They will display their innovative work in CTP (Cell-to-Pack), faster-charging batteries and solid-state batter production domains, respectively. You might also like: 1,300 hp BYD YANGWANG U9 Is Ready To Redefine Electric Supercar Segment Next-Gen EV Batteries At InterBattery 2024 LG Energy Solution Ltd. LG Energy, the world’s third-largest EV battery maker, is set to unveil its cell-to-pack (CTP) design, which integrates individual battery cells directly into battery packs, reducing costs and improving energy density. This technology, currently in the spotlight in the EV battery sector, enhances battery stiffness, stability, and heat transfer prevention while streamlining manufacturing processes and reducing parts. LG Energy plans to introduce an advanced battery management system (BMS) at the event, managing battery life cycles and providing safety diagnostics and state estimation software. The system also includes cloud services and solutions for future mobility. During the exhibition, LG Energy will showcase Isuzu Motors Ltd.’s first electric commercial vehicle equipped with its batteries and BMS. The unveiling underscores LG Energy’s commitment to innovation in the EV battery sector, aiming to address cost, energy density, and manufacturing efficiency challenges. You might also like: EV Makers Reconsidering Their Ambitious Plans, Was Toyota Right All Along? SK Innovation Co. SK On, the fifth-largest battery maker globally and a subsidiary of SK Innovation Co., is set to unveil innovative battery technologies at an upcoming event. They will showcase fast-charging batteries and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) models designed for cold weather conditions. The upgraded version of their Super Fast (SF) Battery offers a 9% increase in energy density while maintaining rapid charging capabilities. Additionally, they plan to introduce the SF+ Battery, promising a 15-minute charge time. SK On will also present an LFP battery with enhanced performance in cold climates, featuring a 19% increase in energy density compared to existing models, resulting in improved charging and discharging capacities. Moreover, the company will highlight advancements in cathode active materials manufacturing, including water-free methods and chemistry diversification strategies. They will also introduce their first energy storage system (ESS). These innovations reflect SK On’s commitment to addressing challenges in battery technology, such as charging speed, energy density, and performance in extreme weather conditions. You might also like: Are EVs With 1000 km Range Still A Distant Reality? Samsung SDI Samsung SDI is preparing to announce its timelines for mass-producing solid-state batteries, a revolutionary advancement in the EV sector, while revealing blueprints for batteries of the sixth generation and beyond. These solid-state batteries are heralded as “dream batteries” due to their superior safety and higher energy density compared to traditional lithium-ion models, prompting significant interest and investment in their development across the global cell industry. As the seventh-largest battery manufacturer worldwide, Samsung SDI is ready to present comprehensive integrated energy storage system (ESS) solutions and ESS modules tailored for household use. Additionally, it will showcase a diverse range of cylindrical batteries featuring various specifications. You might also like: 1,300 hp BYD YANGWANG U9 Is Ready To Redefine Electric Supercar Segment Learn Electric Cars Says Now, these players contribute significantly toward the global EVs. Hence, when these introduce new technologies, the entire ecosystem will benefit from them. In general, the companies are focusing on making energy-dense EV batteries without adding too much weight, fast charging times, more efficient BMS and better packaging. All these are crucial aspects of EV battery development. We shall keep an eye out for more such developments in this field.

Are EVs With 1000 km Range Still A Distant Reality?

5 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

With quick advancements in EV technology, companies are coming up with batteries that can potentially provide a range of around 1,000 km on a single charge. With innovative and rapid development in EV battery technology, EVs with around 1000 km of range look promising and enticing. However, many naysayers argue that you don’t need EVs with such high range due to the battery weight and size concerns. Also, large batteries would require more time to charge. That will add to the already bleak charging infrastructure. But what if there are ways of just increasing the range of EVs without increasing their battery size? You might also like: Nyobolt Battery Can Charge Fully In Just 6 Minutes EVs With 1000 km Range Possible? Scientists at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in South Korea have developed a new technology. It involves using micro-silicon particles and a gel-based electrolyte to enhance the ability of lithium-ion batteries to retain charge for longer periods. Now we know that researchers have been working on silicon to replace graphite for the higher charge capacity of the batteries for a while now. However, the property of nano-scale silicon to expand while charging and discharging has been its typical limitation. To address that, the POSTECH scientists have come up with micro-scale silicon. This, in conjunction with an elastic gel electrolyte, will solve that problem. Inherently, silicon can hold 10 times more lithium ions than graphite. That lends a high battery capacity, in turn increasing the range significantly. Additionally, it prevents the rapid degradation of the battery. In fact, scientists noted that the micro-silicon particles allow a range of 965 km on a single charge. Soojin Park co-authored the research paper and is a professor of Chemistry at POSTECH. He said, “We used a micro-silicone anode, yet we have a stable battery. This research brings us closer to a real high-energy-density lithium-ion battery system.” However, the production process of such micro-scale silicon anodes will be much more complex and expensive. You might also like: How Is Formula E Helping Legacy Carmakers Build Better EV Technologies Learn Electric Cars Says We come across many technological breakthroughs due to so much investments and work being done in EV technology and R&D. This applies mostly to developing new EV battery technologies to ensure long range, short charging times and reducing the use of rare earth elements. We know that not all technologies will survive but we are at a stage where we need to explore all avenues before finally deciding on a handful of methods. That will take years and could be different for difference markets/regions across the globe. We understand that there won’t be a silver bullet anytime soon. Still, as automobile enthusiasts, it is exciting to stay in touch with all that’s happening in this space and be a part of the transformation which will shape and power future mobility.

Nyobolt Battery Can Charge Fully In Just 6 Minutes

5 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

With each passing year, we witness an immense advancement in EV battery technology and this is a prime example of it. UK-based Nyobolt has come up with an EV battery which can charge fully in a mere 6 minutes. This ultra-fast-charging breakthrough can transform the electric vehicle industry. Such charging speeds are significantly faster than any other technology out there. With lightning-fast charging times, EVs can do with smaller battery packs, in turn, reducing the weight and rare materials used to create those batteries. That is the premise on which this technology is based. You may also like: How Is Formula E Helping Legacy Carmakers Build Better EV Technologies Nyobolt Battery Can Charge Fully In 6 Mins These days, we are encountering large EVs with massive batteries to generate appropriate performance and range. To tackle that, efficiency is at the top of most carmakers’ priority list. That is where the Nyobolt battery comes into the picture. This is a 35 kWh battery pack which offers a range of upto 250 km. It may seem low but if will take just 6 minutes to charge this battery using a 350 kW DC fast charger, EV owners won’t feel range anxiety. Nyobolt has designed this battery in collaboration with design and engineering business, CALLUM and renowned designer Julian Thomson. The latter was inspired by his design of the Lotus Elise. It is one of the most nimble and lightweight electric sportscars around. The Nyobolt battery has been tested for over 2,500 fast charge cycles (enough to cover over half a million kilometres) without significant loss in performance. Nyobolt batteries can also be made for large vehicles like buses or trucks once 1 MW chargers become available. Hence, the brand is future-ready. It will go into production from early 2024. You may also like: Silicone Anode Holds Immense Potential For Next-Gen EV Batteries Sai Shivareddy, CEO at Nyobolt, said, “Unlocking the challenges faced by electric vehicle designers has been key to the development of our breakthrough fast-charging batteries. Previously, enabling a light weight fast-charging vehicle was not possible without compromising its lifetime and so people have been relying on costly and large battery packs in the vehicle. With our unique technology we have achieved a six-minute charge car, and developed smaller battery packs that can deliver more power and charge in less time. “Our partnership with CALLUM shows how adoption of system-level technology innovations can transform the future of electric vehicles and increase accessibility of EVs, including to the 40% of UK households who can’t charge their vehicle at home overnight.” You may also like: How Do Heat Pumps Function In EVs? Learn Electric Cars Says We are perennially excited to discuss new EV technologies including electric car models and battery development. It is becoming undeniable that the future of mobility is electric. While it will take a significant time for mass adoption across the globe, the revolution is most certainly underway. With constant advancements in EV technologies, we will reach a point where range anxiety will be a thing of the past. Until then, we shall keep reporting new techniques to our readers.

Silicone Anode Holds Immense Potential For Next-Gen EV Batteries

2 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

With relentless innovation in the electric mobility space, we keep encountering new tech every day to tackle the common issues with EVs. The technology pertaining to using Silicone anode for EV batteries has been talked about for quite some time now. Admittedly, there have been a handful of new methods being experimented with, to boost the mass adoption of EVs. In a bid to achieve that, the existing ubiquitous challenges need addressing. These include range anxiety, charging times, battery longevity, and abundant availability of charging infrastructure. The first three things need innovation on the part of carmakers, while the last of these needs cooperation from governments and policymakers. All these aspects need to move together to accomplish the monumental task of transitioning to electric cars. The most prominent and feasible technology in recent times is the use of Silicon anode. Let us glance through the salient features, pros and cons of this technique. You might also like: Stellantis Invests In Affordable Sodium-Ion Battery Technology Silicone Anode In EV Batteries The batteries used in EVs at the moment contain graphite-based anode. Its job is to transfer Lithium ions between the cathode and anode during charging and discharging cycles. However, the issue with graphite is that 90% of the world’s total supply comes from China alone. This includes mining, extracting and refining. Hence, there is too much dependence on a single nation. That is understandably a problem. Additionally, silicone can hold upto 10 times more Lithium than graphite. Now it doesn’t translate to 10 times more efficiency because there are other factors involved. Still, Silicone will enhance the capabilities of Lithium-ion batteries significantly. Hence, the advantages of using a Silicone anode are evident and direct. You might also like: Toyota to Launch Solid-State Battery by 2027 – Here’s The Problem Cons Of Silicone Anode Even though there are massive pros to using it, there are a few downsides too. Due to a difficult combination of battery pulverization and buildup of wasteful byproducts, the carmakers can only integrate 5-10% silicone into anodes. During the process of constant expansion and contraction, the EV battery’s solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) layer becomes brittle and causes it to decay at a faster rate. Hence, the life cycle of the battery is reduced. You might also like: Potential and Challenges of Electric Vehicle Battery Swapping Learn Electric Cars Says Lithium-ion batteries, featuring anodes infused with silicon nanoparticles, effectively alleviate the primary concerns that consumers have regarding the adoption of electric vehicles. These batteries extend the vehicle’s range significantly on a single charge, enable faster charging times, and boast a longer lifespan compared to the prevailing industry norm. This means that ordinary consumers can enjoy extended travel distances, faster recharge rates, and prolonged battery life, thus avoiding the inconvenience and expense of frequent battery replacements every few years. Let us see if this technology achieves large-scale commercialization to become the norm in times to come.

Stellantis Invests Sodium-Ion Battery Technology

Stellantis Invests In Affordable Sodium-Ion Battery Technology

6 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

The conglomerate is certainly bullish about the potential of the sodium-ion battery technology to power future affordable EVs. Stellantis Ventures announces fresh investment and tie-up with Tiamat for the development of sodium-ion battery technology. Tiamat is a French company that works in developing and commercializing this battery technology. These batteries are prominent for offering a lower cost per kWh. Additionally, as the name suggests, it uses abundantly-available sodium, replacing lithium and cobalt for production. This enables enhanced sustainability and material sovereignty. You may also like: Does the Future of EVs Rest on Sodium Ion Batteries? Stellantis Invests In Sodium-Ion Battery Technology Sodium ranks as the sixth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Notably, its proximity to Lithium on the periodic table results in nearly analogous properties to Lithium. The abundant availability of Sodium translates to a considerably lower cost compared to Lithium. Currently, the predominant obstacle to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles lies in their cost, apart from challenges related to charging infrastructure. Tiamat The French firm recently received the honour as one of 11 top-performing technology start-ups with the Stellantis Venture Awards in 2023. In fact, it boasts the title of being the first company in the world to have recently commercialized a sodium-ion technology in the electrified product, as per the official press release by Stellantis. Ned Curic, Stellantis Chief Engineering and Technology Officer said, “Exploring new options for more sustainable and affordable batteries that use widely available raw materials is a key part of our ambitions of the Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan that will see us reach carbon net zero by 2038”. He added, “Our customers are asking for emissions-free vehicles that offer a combination of robust driving range, performance and affordability. This is our North Star, as Stellantis and its partners work today to develop ground-breaking technologies for the future.” You may also like: 5 New EV Battery Technologies – Aluminium-ion to Niobium Learn Electric Cars Says We have already reported the pros and cons of Sodium-ion batteries in one of our previous posts. It is definitely among one of the most compelling methods to reduce dependence on materials like Cobalt (its mining has ethical and humane challenges in Congo) and Nickel. Furthermore, there will never be a shortage of Sodium. Sure, a lot of work is required to make it energy-dense to be used in cars without compromising on performance. But with the passage of time and new investments, these obstacles can be overcome. Let us keep a close eye on further developments in this space.

New EV Battery From Zeekr To Offer 500 kW Charging

2 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

The unprecedented DC fast charging rate allows replenishing 500 km (310 miles) of range in just 15 minutes. The new EV battery from Zeekr is capable of offering lightning-fast 500 kW DC fast charging. They are calling it the ‘Golden Battery’. This is unequivocally much higher than the fastest charging speeds on offer today, which hover around 360 kW. The Chinese car marque’s new battery technology will support 800 V architecture and adopt LFP (Lithium Ferro Phosphate) cell chemistry to provide upto 500 kW speeds. You might also like: Edmunds Tests The Fastest Charging EV In Real-World Conditions New Zeekr EV Battery Charging Technology While 800 V architecture is offered by other carmakers like Porsche already, 500 kW DC charging speeds are unheard of. The key behind this technology lies in its innovative cell chemistry. Traditionally, LFP batteries have lower energy density in comparison to NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) batteries. However, engineers at Zeekr used “newly-developed materials” and “simplified structural design” to construct the new battery pack. This has resulted in a higher volume utilization of the new battery pack at 83.7%. For reference, CATL’s NMC Qilin battery offers 72% volume utilization, as per Autocar. Hence, it is a clear advantage which addresses the energy density issue typically associated with battery packs with LFP chemistry. You might also like: How Inductive / Wireless Charging Can Transform The Future Of EVs? How Safe Is This Battery? At the moment, the Blade Battery by BYD is considered the safest, as per the standard tests. Similarly, this battery from Zeekr has undergone nail penetration test, submersion in saline water at 10% concentration for 48 hours test, 1000° C fire for an hour test, -45° temperature for 8 hours test, 3 km dragging in mud water and debris, getting run over by a 22-ton road roller and a free fall from a height of 10 m. After all this rigorous abuse, the battery was still working. This is a video showcasing these tests without any fire or smoke. Zeekr is owned by Geely. This means that the other car companies under Geely will also benefit from this battery. This includes the likes of Polestar, Lotus, Volvo and Smart. However, the first EV to get this battery will be the Zeekr 007 premium electric sedan. In fact, we might see it next month in some markets. You might also like: Mercedes, BMW Exceed EPA Range in Real-World Test, Tesla Falls Short Learn Electric Cars Says While this is yet another innovative technology, we know that there is no wide-scale infrastructure available which is needed to support such ultra-fast charging speeds. There are only a few charging stations across the world at the moment which can support 500 kW charging capabilities. Most of these are in China and the plans to increase such charging stations are already in place. Going forward, Ionity plans to install 7,000 350 kW chargers in Europe by 2025 and Electrify America will install 10,000 chargers (1,800 charging stations) by 2026 including many 350 kW chargers. Even with 350 kW DC fast chargers, the speeds would be around 15 minutes for 10-80%. As a result, the waiting times will come down drastically. Still, we understand that there is a long time to go before all this becomes the standard. Nevertheless, the signs are all positive.

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