As the world transitions towards sustainable transportation, electric vehicle battery technology continues to advance at an impressive pace. Solid-state batteries, silicon anode batteries, and lithium-sulfur batteries hold the promise of increased energy density and improved performance. Fast charging, battery longevity, recycling, and wireless charging are all contributing to the growth and adoption of electric vehicles.
See: Wireless battery management system for electric vehicles.
Lithium-based batteries are heavy, expensive to produce, and relatively slow to charge. While lithium-ion technology currently dominates the EV space, it’s not the only possible chemistry. Sodium-ion batteries are an alternative that eliminates the problem of limited lithium supplies, although with a performance penalty compared to lithium chemistries.
With these innovations, they are making electric vehicles more accessible as well as addressing concerns on environmental impact. The future of electric vehicle battery technology is bright, and it's clear that the road to sustainable transportation is paved with exciting developments in battery technology.
The growth of electric vehicles demands a growth in battery technology, consumers, and business as well. Recently remarkable strides have been witnessed in the electric battery innovations. The demand for EVs has grown over the past decade with 350 million electric vehicles representing 60% of all vehicle sales, expected by 2030. The growth is a result of increased demand for environmental concerns, better cost competitiveness with conventional gas vehicles, and more vehicle options.
Read: Different electric car battery technology.
Electric vehicles have now expanded with more variety including cars, transit buses, trucks of all sizes, and even big-rig tractor-trailers, which still produce most of the same issues as conventional vehicles. However, they do offer one large benefit: They do not produce the air pollutants that gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles emit, which can cause asthma, bronchitis, cancer, and premature death.
How do lithium-ion batteries work?
i) Lithium is stored in the battery’s anode, the positively charged electrode, and the cathode, which is the negatively charged electrode.
ii) A liquid electrolyte, or separator, transports positively charged lithium ions between the anode and cathode, the movement of which helps create free electrons in the anode.
iii) As a result, a charge is built up at the battery’s positive current collector, which flows through the device to the battery’s negative current collector.
iv) When powering the device, the anode transfers lithium ions to the cathode, and when charging, the cathode returns them.
Read: The future of EV batteries and technology.
Major advancements in EV battery technology
One of the most significant breakthroughs in EV battery technology is the evolution of battery chemistry. Researchers and engineers are continuously fine-tuning the chemistry of lithium-ion batteries to improve their efficiency, energy density, and longevity. Some key developments include:
i) Solid-state batteries
Instead of relying on a liquid or gel electrolyte, solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte. These solid electrolytes are typically ceramic, glass, solid polymer, or made with sulphites.
Solid-state batteries are emerging as the next frontier in EV battery technology. By replacing the liquid electrolyte with a solid one, these batteries promise enhanced safety, higher energy density, and faster charging times. Companies like Toyota and QuantumScape are at the forefront of solid-state battery research.
See: Graphene nanotube boosts fast charging for EVs.
ii) Silicon anode batteries
Silicon anode batteries are gaining attention due to their ability to store more energy than traditional graphite anodes. This is because silicon has a higher energy density than graphite, which means that a battery with a silicon anode can store more energy in the same amount of space. This technology can significantly increase the range of electric vehicles. Startups like Sila Nanotechnologies are working on commercializing silicon anode batteries.
See: The development of electric vehicle and charging technology.
iii) Lithium-sulfur batteries
Lithium-sulfur batteries offer the potential for higher energy density, reduced costs, and more sustainable materials when compared to lithium-ion batteries. Researchers are addressing challenges related to cycle life and stability, bringing these batteries closer to practical use.
iv) Sodium-ion batteries
These batteries are similar to lithium-ion batteries, but instead use saltwater as an electrolyte. The Sodium-ion is much more affordable and very safe thanks to the low risk of fire. It also performs better at lower temperatures than lithium-ion batteries and is much easier to recycle given the materials used in their production, but they are too inefficient for use in electric vehicles.
See: Why is EV battery health important?
v) Iron-air batteries
Iron-air batteries work by oxidizing iron using air to turn iron into rust to produce energy. During the battery’s charging process, the cells are transformed back to iron through reverse oxidation.
Iron-air batteries are great for energy storage, providing up to 25 times more storage hours than lithium-ion batteries.
vi) Zinc-based batteries
They work just like lithium-ion batteries with zinc ions flowing from the battery’s anode to the cathode. This class of new battery technology includes zinc-bromine, zinc-manganese dioxide, zinc-air, and zinc-ion batteries.
Read: Aluminum-air battery to charge electric vehicles.
More EV technology battery innovations.
There are more innovations coming up for the electric vehicle such as:-
i) Fast charging and longevity
The convenience of fast charging is becoming a reality for EV owners. New battery technologies and charging infrastructure developments are making it possible to recharge EVs quickly. Furthermore, advancements in battery management systems are increasing battery lifespan, reducing concerns about degradation over time.
Read: Electric Car Battery Life and technology around it.
ii) Wireless charging
Wireless charging technology is on the horizon, offering convenience and reducing the physical infrastructure required for charging stations. This technology utilizes electromagnetic fields to transfer energy from charging pads to vehicles, making EVs even more convenient.
Recycling and Second-Life Batteries
As the number of EVs on the road increases, so does the number of batteries that will need to be recycled or repurposed. Recycling EV batteries is crucial to reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact of EVs. Several companies, including Tesla and Redwood Materials, are working on developing more efficient and cost-effective recycling methods. Second-life batteries are another promising avenue for repurposing used EV batteries. These batteries can still provide a significant amount of energy even after they are no longer suitable for use in a vehicle, and can be used in applications like home energy storage.
Also read: Electric Car Battery Life Explained.
In many ways, these innovations in EV battery technology are driving the growth of the contemporary electric vehicle industry. Solid-state batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, silicon anodes, and recycling and second-life batteries are just a few of the developments that are shaping the future of EV batteries. As automakers continue to invest in EV technology, we can expect to see even more innovations and advancements in the coming years.
Read: The portable battery that charges your electric vehicle anywhere and anytime.
