We may have understated matters when we suggested Fisker had sent Tesla a curved ball. Self-styled number-one-source-of-oil-and-energy-news Oil Price thought Tesla might not be able to return the pitch when it posted on Thursday 16 November 2017. Because the ‘new breakthrough in battery technology using graphene based hybrid material ‘could make Musk’s batteries appear obsolete’.
Is Oil Price Correct? Could Graphene Shut Tesla Down?
Stranger things have happened. Railroads closed down the pony express before automobiles almost put iron roads out of business.
Sailing ships gave way to passenger ships. These in turn lost out to Boeing’s jet planes when the oil price burst through the ceiling.
Theoretically, Tesla might fall on Fisker’s sword. We hope not. We have always has a soft spot for cavalier Musk. He has done so much to further the cause of electric vehicles, he already has his place in history. However, progress seldom takes captives.
Are We Witnessing a Solid-State Battery Revolution?
Oil Price believes we are indeed seeing one. Because Fisker has filed patents for solid-state batteries with greater energy density, and rapid charging times too. Fisker’s vice president of battery systems is claiming to be addressing ‘all the hurdles that solid-state batteries have encountered’.
Depending on the charging method, Tesla Model S batteries take 10 to 75 minutes to return to a state of complete equilibrium, and are then capable of 300 miles maximum.
Compare that with Fisker’s version delivering 500 miles after 1 minute charging. Regardless of what Oil Price says, we are adopting a cautious approach. As we said in our earlier post, the burden is on Fisker to produce a working model. With all the academic research currently on the go, he too could also be overtaken.
The greater goal is to counter global warming. It would be wonderful if Musk and Fisker combined their energies, because Tesla has the capital and the factories lined up. Moreover, Fisker has the creative genius to turn their electric cars into superb driving machines.
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Preview Image: Boeing 707
