2 weeks ago I posted about a new EV battery that can be charged in 10 minutes.
https://discussion.fool.com/new-ev-battery-game-changer-35130663…
Today I see that a Chinese EV battery maker has unveiled a new battery technology that it claims can deliver more than 620 miles of driving range.
https://www.businessinsider.com/catl-electric-car-battery-lo…
The article does not say what the components of the battery.
Speaking of components the 10 minute charging battery is Silicon-Lithium.
Lithium-Silicon Vs. Lithium-Ion
If you’re wondering what’s wrong with today’s generation of lithium-ion EV batteries, the short answer is: nothing. However, shuttling large numbers of EVs through public charging stations is going to be a challenge once millions of new EVs hit the road. Adding more charging stations is only part of the solution. Shortening the charging time while increasing range is the other part, and silicon could fit the bill.
“Silicon has long been appealing for use as a material in lithium-ion battery anodes, because its energy capacity is up to 10 times that of the commonly used material, graphite—leading to lithium-ion batteries with 20 to 40 percent higher energy density,” PNNL explains.
There being no such thing as a free lunch, there is a problem. Silicon anodes expand almost 300% during the charging process, when lithium ions crowd in. When the battery discharges, the lithium ions make an exit, leaving the silicon anode to wither back down to its original size.
As a result of the stress, the anode eventually cracks and disintegrates, with a consequent impact on battery life.
Earlier iterations of new lithium-silicon technology managed to work around the problem, but then cost factors in as an obstacle.
PNNL has developed a low cost solution based on a coating of carbon. Carbon also factors into the Group14 solution.
I’m simply amazed how fast battery technology is happening! A year ago an EV wouldn’t be in my future. Now, once they can make an EV at the same price of a Toyota Corolla IC car; well that is a different story. Looking at the present situation, that appears to be at least 3 years away. But like battery technology; that can change.
In my case, as I usually buy used vehicles* I would be interested in a used EV with the new battery technology, so that may be 4 or 5 years down the road.
*I would wait and find 4-5 year old vehicle with not many miles & then drive them into the ground. Those used vehicles last longer with each successive purchase as the number of miles I drive diminish as I age.