Future of Battery Technology for EV

The advent of batteries to power electronic gadgets and provide backup support gave a new way for the engineering industry to progress. In this article, we will explore the future battery technology for electric cars. Let’s dig deeper into the realm of battery technology. 

A Brief Glimpse into the Background of Battery Technology

The history of battery technology in electric vehicles dates back to the 19th century when the first electric car was invented. The first electric cars were powered by lead-acid batteries. However, they were unreliable and expensive to maintain.

The development of electric vehicles in the early 20th century saw the introduction of nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries, which were more reliable and efficient than lead-acid batteries. 

These batteries helped make electric cars more affordable and accessible to the general public. In the late 20th century, lithium-ion batteries emerged as the go-to technology for powering electric vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight, have a high energy density, and can recharge quickly. This helped make electric cars more practical and affordable for the mass market. 

Electric vehicle manufacturers continued developing even more efficient and powerful batteries. These include solid-state batteries, lighter and more powerful than lithium-ion batteries, and graphene batteries, which can store much energy in a small space.

What Are The Advances In Battery Technologies For Electric Vehicles?

Here are some ways in which EV battery technology has advanced. 

• Lithium-ion batteries 

Sila Nanotechnologies is replacing graphite anode components used in current lithium-ion batteries with a silicon-based element, which is said to enhance the battery's energy density by 20 to 40%, allowing them to charge faster. 

This improvement is like that of a Ford F-150, going from 25 MPG to 35 MPG in a single model year. As the first to adopt the technology, Mercedes has included Sila's tech as an option for the EQG electric vehicle in 2025. The high energy density is essential for heavy vehicles and can be greatly improved with an appropriate silicon-based component, thus breaking the unvirtuous cycle of large and heavy batteries. 

Group14 and OneD are also companies worth watching, as they are each working on solutions involving the union of silicon and lithium, with Porsche as the lead partner for Group14. These solutions take advantage of lithium batteries' strong performance and wide acceptance to quickly reach the market. 

• Sodium-ion batteries 

The Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL) has just made an exciting advancement in sodium-ion battery technology that reduces the need for temperature regulation and increases the number of times it can be charged without deteriorating. Furthermore, these batteries will have a natural fire suppressant. 

However, the PNNL researchers have yet to overcome the lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, they hope to remove cobalt, often a toxic element, from the formula. 

• Solid-state batteries 

Solid-state batteries are constructed with hard and rigid materials, which is not necessarily what makes them superior, but it gives them many advantages. These batteries are composed of tightly packed materials compared to a regular lithium battery, which is typically made of a soft and moist material.

What EV Car Is The Right Fit For You? 

• An EV with significantly more range could be achieved with a larger energy density, allowing for the same range as today's models with a much smaller, more affordable battery. 

• Quick charging has yet to be widely available, but solid-state batteries aim to make it the norm. The ability to charge an electric car in such a short time could completely revolutionise how people view them. 

• Solid-state technology is an important part of GM's strategy to create a battery with a million-mile life cycle. This would alleviate the issue of replacing electric vehicle batteries too soon. 

• Solid-state designs are believed to offer minimal to no risk of thermal runaway. Silicon batteries, such as those mentioned, are also said to largely eliminate this issue.

What makes Tesla's battery superior?

Tesla's battery technology is highly acclaimed because it offers high energy density, improved safety, and superior performance.

Moreover, these batteries offer improved long-term performance than traditional lead-acid or NiMH batteries, which can store more energy in a smaller package. They also have excellent cycle life, meaning they can be recharged and discharged thousands of times without significant degradation.

Tesla's batteries are also much safer than traditional batteries. The cells are designed with safety in mind, using a proprietary cooling system to keep the cells from overheating, and insulation to contain any possible battery fires.

Many of the experts often skip discussing these batteries’ special design for maximum efficiency. They come with a low internal resistance for faster charging times, and a high peak power output for more responsive acceleration.

In terms of stats, Tesla's batteries have been shown to have a lifespan of up to 1 million miles. They can charge to full in around 40 minutes and can provide up to 300 miles of range on a single charge.

Conclusion

The future of battery technology is very promising. As materials and design progress, batteries will become more effective, powerful, and durable. With the proper investments, exploration, and advancement, we can anticipate a future with more efficient and stronger batteries that will help us transition to cleaner energy sources.

This article aims to give you an insight into the potential of battery technology. To learn more about the revolutionising technology from industry experts, enrol in Skill-Lync’s Battery Technology course. 

Talk to our experts and get access to the course materials.