EV developers are searching for a way to reduce the cost of EV batteries—and the result could significantly decrease the overall price of the vehicle.
Key Details
- New electric vehicle (EV) battery developments are paving the way for a cheaper, more efficient EV battery.
- One of the main hurdles stopping consumers from embracing EVs is the price. If manufacturers can lower the price to the rate of a traditional vehicle, they may have more buyers.
- The next hurdle to overcome is the distance an EV can travel. The vehicles will need to reach the 300 mile range in order to be comparable to traditional vehicles.
- High lithium ion costs are keeping EV battery prices high, leading to developers looking for alternatives.
Why it’s news
Scientists are exploring alternative battery options, however there are trade offs for each method. One battery may be less expensive, but it won’t stay charged as long. Another may hold its charge but is unstable.
Developers are looking to strike the right balance with a battery that will provide maximum benefits with minimum downsides. Right now, most of the industry is looking to solid-state batteries.
Solid-state batteries replace the liquid lithium-ion carrier in batteries with a solid ceramic or sulfide-based material. If successful,these batteries could potentially store twice as much as current EV batteries. Vehicles powered by solid-state batteries may be able to charge more quickly and travel at a range of 600 miles.
These batteries are also reportedly more stable and lighter than their current counterparts, Axios reports.
There are several big names looking into development of these batteries including Toyota and Nissan.
While the development may be moving forward, it still seems that developers are at least a decade away from being able to scale the batteries for mass production.
Some scientists are researching ways to make the existing batteries more cost efficient. One way currently in development is replacing the lithium anodes in the batteries with silicon or graphite anodes.
Until a suitable replacement can be developed, automakers like Tesla and Ford are using cobalt and nickel-free lithium-iron phosphate batteries. These batteries work well for lower end EVs as they are cheaper and safer, but provide a shorter driving range than more expensive models.
