LFP Batteries Can See Upto 70% Increase In Lifespan Via A New Method
A scientific paper published in Joule indicates a relatively simple technique to boost the average lifespan of LFP batteries by up a maximum of 70%.
EV Battery
New Battery Can Charge Zeekr 007 From 10-80% In 10.5 Minutes
The Chinese carmaker has been offering batteries with impressive charging rates for a long time now.
EV Battery Prices In 2023 Were 90% Lower Than 2008 – DOE Report
One of the biggest challenges with reducing the initial costs of EVs is the price of the battery pack.
Samsung Showcases Solid State Battery For EVs With 1,000 km Range
The South Korean conglomerate is among the biggest players to perform R&D to creates batteries for future EVs.
‘Weightless’ Carbon Fiber Battery Could Be Exactly What EVs Need
Chalmers University of Technology from Sweden commence working on this technology which has now resulted in a startup called Sinonus.
Top 5 Carmakers Working On Solid-State Batteries For EVs – Toyota To BYD
There are some established, as well as new auto companies, that are focusing their resources on developing solid-state batteries. I have compiled a list of the top 5 most prominent auto giants/conglomerates that are developing solid-state batteries for their EVs. Many car manufacturers have either set up connections with other conglomerates or battery companies or are developing new tech in-house. The route toward the future of electric mobility seems to go through solid-state battery technology. While there are dozens of new tech in the works in many parts of the world, solid-state batteries seem to be emerging as the most feasible and widely acceptable solution, at least in the immediate future. You might also like: CATL Unveils World’s First LFP Battery With a 1,000-km Range Top 5 Companies Developing Solid-State Batteries For EVs Toyota It is a well-known fact in the automobile industry that Toyota is the least bullish on complete electrification among all legacy carmakers in the world. Interestingly, it was among the first vehicle manufacturers to adopt a hybrid powertrain over 2 decades ago. It still believes in the power of hybrid cars, as well as hydrogen. Hence, it is not working aggressively toward stuffing its portfolios with pure EVs. But that is not to say that it has no plans of ever going in full throttle on EVs. It is developing a solid-state battery and has even released a timeline of when it plans to come out with it. It has joined hands with the petroleum giant, Idemitsu Kosan. The two players are set to unveil their first solid-state battery by 2026-27. The final aim is to create a battery with a 1,200 km (746 mi.) range. Nissan Next up, we have yet another Japanese auto giant on this list. Nissan has been investing heavily in its All-Solid-State Battery (ASSB) technology. The unique aspect about Nissan’s solid-state batteries is its approach to eliminate the need for cooling. While the existing EV batteries rely on air or liquid cooling methods, Nissan believes that solid-state cells can withstand higher temperatures without compromising safety or performance. It will collaborate with NASA and UC San Diego, incorporating AI techniques to address issues like lithium dendrite growth, ensuring the safety and durability of the solid-state cells. You might also like: StoreDot and Polestar Achieve 10-Minute Charging w/ Si-Dominant Cells Stellantis Now I understand that Nissan is also a part of Stellantis, but I am considering it separately since the conglomerate had announced a crucial partnership by investing in Factorial Energy which is headquartered in the U.S. in 2022. At the time, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said, “Stellantis is full-speed ahead on its electrification transformation with 33 electrified models available right now, and eight battery electric vehicles coming in the next 18 months.” Factorial Energy CEO Siyu Huang commented, “We continue to move aggressively towards our goal of delivering automotive-scale, solid-state battery technology to our customers.” Last month, Factorial signed an MoU with LG Chem for the development of solid-state battery technology. BYD and Nio with CATL It is nigh impossible to talk EVs without mentioning Chinese carmakers. We know that the Chinese automobile market drives the trajectory of the overall global auto industry. This is particularly true with electric cars. BYD is among the biggest EV makers on the planet. In fact, in the last quarter of last year, it even overtook Tesla as the highest-selling EV company on the planet. Nio is a Chinese luxury auto giant which offers incredibly tech-savvy vehicles to rival the premium carmakers from the West. Both these Chinese giants are working in tandem with CATL, the world’s largest EV battery company, to develop futuristic batteries. In February this year, CATL, BYD, Nio, CALB and some others announced a consortium to build a supply chain for solid-state batteries for their EVs by 2030. SAIC Finally, we have the Chinese conglomerate, SAIC, completing this list of top companies developing solid-state batteries for their EVs. It is one of China’s four largest carmakers. It owns SAIC Maxum, SAIC Volkswagen, MG, Baojun and Wuling. SAIC will introduce its first EV with a semi-solid-state battery, the IM L7, in October this year. The mass production of solid-state batteries for its EVs will commence from 2026 onwards. Interestingly, SAIC is not just working on solid-state batteries but on a full-stack technology solution for intelligent vehicles and a new platform with Audi for the Chinese market. Hence, it is one of those conglomerates which is quite close to introducing this tech to its upcoming mass-production electric cars. You might also like: Mazda and Panasonic To Work On Cylindrical Cells For EV Batteries Learn Electric Cars Says As things stand at the moment, I believe solid-state batteries are slated to play an imperative role in shaping the future of electric mobility across the globe. This seems to be the case despite new battery tech emerging almost every other week. With the sheer level of R&D and partial applications already, these batteries satisfy most needs of modern EVs. These include things like affordability, reliability, safety, range, weight and more. I shall keep covering further developments in this space as more information surfaces.
EV Batteries Made in Europe To Be 60% Less Carbon Intensive Than Chinese – Study
This staggering number becomes valid when renewable electricity is used. Even without that, the Europe-made EV batteries will emit 37% less carbon emissions than the Chinese. A detailed study by Transport & Environment (T&E) concludes that Europe-made EV batteries will be significantly more carbon scarce than China-controlled supply chain. That is a bold claim amidst concerns regarding over-dependency on China for the EV supply chain. We know that China controls a vast majority of production of battery components. This also includes manufacturing raw materials and minerals needed to create a Lithium-ion battery. You might also like: U.S. Could Ban or Restrict Chinese Connected Vehicles Europe-Made EV Batteries 60% Less Carbon-Intensive Than China The study mentions that even using the current European grid, the carbon emissions could be reduced by 37%. This is equivalent to 133 Mt CO2 by 2030 in comparison to China. This number shoots up to 62% if we consider using renewable energy sources. Furthermore, Europe can become self-sufficient in battery cells by 2026, and manufacture most of its demand for key components (cathodes) and materials such as lithium by 2030. Unfortunately, over half of gigafactory plans in Europe are at risk of either facing delays or cancellations. Thankfully, this number was over 66% last year. Hence, progress has been made in this direction. Still, a lot of government intervention is needed. The industrial policy blueprint should include maintaining the investment certainty (via the 2035 clean car goal). With regard to securing gigafactory capacity since last year, France, Germany and Hungary have made the most progress. In France, ACC started production in Pas-de-Calais last year while plants by Verkor in Dunkirk and Northvolt in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, are going ahead thanks to generous government subsidies. Finland, the UK, Norway and Spain have the most production capacity at medium or high risk due to question marks over projects by the Finnish Minerals Group, West Midlands Gigafactory, Freyr and InoBat. This report also mentions that securing other key EV battery components is an even bigger challenge due to China’s influence and the EU’s nascent expertise. Europe could potentially produce 56% of its total cathode demand which is a critical component of a battery by 2030. By the same time, the EU could also fulfil its demand for processed lithium and secure between 8% and 27% of battery minerals from recycling within the region. You might also like: Tesla and BYD Have 34% Share of Global Q1 2024 EV Sales Learn Electric Cars Says With the number of EVs growing across the globe, issues pertaining to sourcing battery components have become crucial. We have seen the U.S. tax credits depending on where an EV is manufactured in addition to where the battery and its components come from. Going forward, more nations strive to establish their own EV battery manufacturing industries. This will reduce dependence on a single country like China. Apart from that, utilizing renewable sources of energy for production is also a key factor toward going carbon neutral in the coming years. The ambitious goals of carbon neutrality need addressal from all directions. We shall be on the watch out for further developments in this case.
CATL Unveils World’s First LFP Battery With a 1,000-km Range
At Auto China 2024, CATL unveiled the Shenxing PLUS battery which offers a range of 1,000 km (621 mi.) and 4C superfast charging capabilities. Chinese battery manufacturer and tech giant CATL has showcased its Shenxing PLUS LFP battery with an unprecedented 1,000 km (621 mi.) range. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) is the largest EV battery company in the world. It is constantly innovating new tech to improve the range and charging rates of electric car batteries. Its Shenxing battery was launched last year with a charging time of just 10 minutes for 400 km (248 mi.). You might also like: New CATL Batteries To Retain 80% Capacity After 12 Years New CATL Shenxing PLUS LFP Battery w/ 1,000 km Range The Shenxing PLUS is the next-generation model of last year’s battery which is now capable of recovering 600 km (373 mi.) of range in just 10 minutes. This is the result of 4C superfast charging capability. The constant innovation at CATL regarding various aspects of an EV battery is commendable. As a result of this, the Chinese EV battery giant is pushing the boundaries of what Li-ion batteries can achieve on a daily basis. Remember, the figures we are discussing here are according to CLTC parameters. Continuous technological breakthroughs enable the Shenxing PLUS to achieve an impressive 1,000-km pure electric range. These breakthroughs are driven by innovations in both materials and design. Granular gradation technology crafts the cathode, meticulously arranging nanoparticles to achieve an ultra-high compact density. Complementing this, proprietary 3D honeycomb-shaped material integrates into the anode, enhancing energy density while effectively managing volume expansion during charging and discharging. Notably, the single-piece casing, a pioneering feat in the industry, optimizes internal space utilization, pushing Shenxing PLUS cells to an unprecedented level of energy density. At the system level, the Shenxing PLUS battery pack employs a topologically optimized structure built upon module-free CTP 3.0 technology, resulting in a 7% increase in packing efficiency. Through these material and structural breakthroughs, the energy density of the Shenxing battery system shatters the 200 Wh/kg barrier, achieving an impressive 205 Wh/kg. This groundbreaking achievement makes ranges exceeding 1,000 km a tangible reality You might also like: StoreDot and Polestar Achieve 10-Minute Charging w/ Si-Dominant Cells 4C Superfast Charging The 4C superfast charging allows the 600-km range to replenish in a mere 10 minutes. For this, Shenxing PLUS applies technologies including fast lithium-ion conductive coating, the addition of transition metal elements, and new nanometer encapsulation, rendering smoother and more efficient energy transmission between cathode and anode materials. CATL has expanded the overcurrent area and capacity of the terminals in the battery system to rapidly dissipate heat during high-current charging. In terms of BMS core algorithms, CATL’s newly developed AI polarization model can predict and control the charging current in real time, enabling faster and smarter energy replenishment. You might also like: Mazda and Panasonic To Work On Cylindrical Cells For EV Batteries Learn Electric Cars Says CATL already partners with some of the biggest car marques on the planet. These include BMW, Daimler AG, Hyundai, Honda, Li Auto, NIO, PSA, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo and XPeng. It has been at the top in EV battery space for 7 consecutive years. Clearly, they are investing heavily in battery R&D. With incremental improvements in the already existing battery tech, the company continues to remain ahead of the curve. With so many large carmakers already using CATL batteries, the wide-scale impact of its new solutions can easily get translated into real cars rapidly. These are not one of those solutions which will take years to come to fruition. That is the best part about the new technologies from CATL. As a matter of fact, the Shenxing batteries developed last year are already in use in EVs at the moment. That is a positive sign going forward. We shall have to watch out for which new cars utilize this new LFP battery from CATL.
StoreDot and Polestar Achieve 10-Minute Charging w/ Si-Dominant Cells
Israeli tech company, StoreDot, has run a successful experiment of installing a 77 kWh battery in a drivable Polestar 5 prototype and charging it from 10% to 80% in 10 minutes. StoreDot and Polestar have successfully completed an Extreme Fast Charging (XFC) experiment by achieving a 10-min charging time for 10% to 80%. The official press release confirms that the 77 kWh battery was charged at over 310 kW for the entire test procedure with the peak in excess of 370 kW. The silicon-dominant battery cells (300 Wh/kg) were installed in a fully drivable Polestar 5 prototype. All cell parameters including temperature, voltage and charged capacity were monitored throughout. You might also like: Mazda and Panasonic To Work On Cylindrical Cells For EV Batteries StoreDot and Polestar Achieve 10-Min Charging Tech The new test showed that an electric car can now charge in just 10 minutes using special batteries with the use of silicon. This fast charging can make people less worried about running out of power and encourage more people to use electric cars. These new batteries with silicon can store more energy and charge faster than the ones with graphite, which are used in most batteries now. The ones with graphite are almost as good as they can get, but the ones with silicon still have room to improve in the future. The company has chalked out a roadmap to production via its ‘100inX’ strategy. This represents 100 miles (161 km) of charge in X minutes. This X is 5 minutes for the 2024 production model (300 Wh/kg), 4 minutes for 2026 (340 Wh/kg), 3 minutes for 2028 (400 Wh/kg) and 2 minutes for 2032 (500 Wh/kg). Other upcoming milestones include shipping prismatic B-samples to OEMs and signing strategic manufacturing agreements. You might also like: Top 3 Potential Alternatives To Lithium-Ion Batteries For EVs CEOs’ Commentary On this occasion, Dr. Doron Myersdorf, CEO of StoreDot said, “We are very excited to share this impressive achievement today and are proud to be on this journey with Polestar, a leading car brand who envisions high performance cars with a sustainable future. We’re happy to see our partner is among the first EV car makers to acknowledge that XFC is now a necessary standard to make vast EV adoption a reality. With our extreme fast charging technology, you can add 200 miles in under 10 minutes. This breakthrough revolutionizes EV ownership experience by eradicating the barrier of range and charging anxiety once and for all. Drivers can now truly travel long distances with the same freedom and convenience as traditional petrol-powered vehicles.” Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar commented, “By eliminating charging times that were previously an obstacle, StoreDot’s XFC battery cells combined with our cutting-edge product development and battery engineering have unlocked new frontiers for electric mobility. This technology will reshape consumer expectations and accelerate mass EV adoption by making EV ownership a seamless experience for the mass market.” You might also like: Lithium-Sulphur Batteries For EVs Promise 5-Min Charging Time Learn Electric Cars Says EV battery technology is experiencing rapid and exponential innovation. Extensive R&D is going on in this field from established legacy players, as well as new startups from all across the globe. That is the reason why we are witnessing new breakthroughs almost every week. While it might seem too complicated at the moment, I feel this is the only way to scout through the heaps of new options available in the future. It is only natural that only a few robust companies will survive going forward. In any case, the potential EV owners stand to benefit from this large-scale innovation. We are observing some common signs to create the ideal EV battery solution for the future. Companies are experimenting with new cell chemistries, enhanced battery management systems, efficient cooling mechanisms, etc., to ensure low weight, high range, high energy density and fast charging rates. These are the most important factors when making EV batteries. Achieving balance among these aspects is a tricky process, which will need a lot of innovation and investment. That is where the future lies. We shall keep an eye out for more such tech products in times to come. Also, let us see when this StoreDot battery makes it into the first production EV.
Failure Rate of Modern EV Batteries is 0.1% – Study
An interesting study showcases how the EV battery failure rates have declined from 2011 to 2023. The health startup Recurrent published a study which encompasses the failure rate of modern EV batteries. This study was titled New Study: How Long Do Electric Car Batteries Last? The findings of this study were documented in a report by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office. This survey took data from around 15,000 rechargeable vehicles between 2011 and 2023. The outcome was quite surprising. You might also like: IEA Report Forecasts EV Sales Could Hit 17 Million in 2024 Failure Rate of Modern EV Batteries Now, we all know that the number of plug-in electric cars (PHEVs and BEVs) was little in the initial five years (2011 – 2015) and the battery technology was still taking shape. While there is still a long way to go, we are at a lot better and technologically advanced stage today, in comparison. Hence, the EV battery failure rate was a whopping 7.5% in 2011 and 1.6% in 2015. These stats don’t include the recalls. Things changed for the better post-2016. Advanced technologies like active liquid battery cooling, more sophisticated thermal management systems and new battery chemistries have emerged. That becomes visible from the battery failure rate in 2016, which was just 0.3%. Furthermore, this number went even lower to 0.1% in 2017. Hence, one could think of the time post-2016 as the second life for EV battery technology. The stats have danced around 0.1% to 0.5% from 2016 to 2023. This translates to – 1 in every 1,000 EV batteries could encounter failure. That is quite a healthy rate. However, it must be pondered whether the EV industry becomes successful in bringing this down even more by 2030 with the intense R&D work going on in battery tech and EV battery cell chemistry. You might also like: Tesla Cars Cheapest To Maintain, Land Rover Most Expensive Learn Electric Cars Says As the sales of electric cars rise exponentially across the globe, issues pertaining to EV battery failure become more prominent. In general, the EV batteries are considered safe. Sure, there have been a few fire cases in EV batteries. But the safety, maintenance costs and environmental factors are largely in favour of EVs. We must also mention that data will become more readily available as the existing EVs age and electric cars become mainstream in the next few years.