Time has seemed like a blur this year, with so many things happening on the world stage. Meanwhile, in the background there has been remarkable progress on the green energy front. This has been an exciting year for electric vehicle batteries too. We decided to pause, catch our breath, and summarize recent events.
Electric Vehicle Batteries Make Exciting Progress
Longer-lasting electric vehicle batteries became reality in the first half of 2022. Prototypes charge faster and preserve driving range longer. New battery technologies will soon enter market in volumes. However, there’s no sign of lithium losing dominance.
Lithium stole a march in 2022, when a practical solution for replacing the graphite anode with a silicon derivative emerged. This reduces battery cell bulk, and lowers weight 15%. One manufacturer claims a 20% to 40% increase in energy density while also charging faster.
No wonder Mercedes will offer the option in their large electric cars in 2025. CNET compares the energy growth to fossil car driving range improving from 25 miles to 35 per gallon. Porsche is also beginning to react. Will this be the spark igniting real progress?
More Stable Silicon Laughs at Climate Change
Meteorologists warn us to expect more extreme weather. Summers could be hotter, and winters colder too. These temperature extremes have bedeviled batteries, including electric ones. However, Pacific Northwest National Lab have a suggestion.
They developed a model to tame the unstable aspects of sodium-ion technology earlier this year. Moreover, the prototype preserves its driving range longer, is non-flammable, and uses more environmentally-friendly materials. More work needs doing but it shows great promise.
Solid state battery technology also leapt forward in 2022. This replaces slightly mushy, moist material in a typical lithium battery, with tightly compressed hard materials. CNET waxes enthusiastic as it extols the many benefits.
Electric vehicle owners can look forward to greater energy density, faster charging, longer cycle life, and greater thermal stability in future. This has been an exciting year for electric vehicle batteries so far, but there will be more to come.
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