Battery life has been the biggest problem with electric cars. While many drivers have been thinking of ditching gas and going for electric vehicles (EVs) other have been hesitant because of the worry of how long EV batteries will last and how much it will cost to repair. Now, the longevity concerns of EV batteries might be a thing of the past after a new breakthrough.
A Battery That Lasts 600,000 Miles
A battery innovator StoreDot has a silicon-dominant anode battery that can survive over 2,000 full chare cycles and 600,000 miles of driving. Unlike the traditional EV batteries that rely on graphite anodes, the silicon-dominant anode battery will only have silicone anodes which store up to 10 times more energy. Additionally, the battery will have faster charging times.
“This is a monumental achievement. We’ve proven you can have both extreme fast charging and a long-lasting battery, making longevity concerns a thing of the past,” said Dr. David Lee, Global Chief Science Officer and Head of StoreDot US.
Until now, Silicon anodes degrade quickly which makes them impractical for long-term use. StoreDot has solved this problem by developing a silicon-carbon composite anode that minimizes expansion, and prevents cracking.
Extreme Fast Charging Stays Intact
The breakthrough also preserves StoreDot’s signature Extreme Fast Charging (XFC) technology. the new design allows an EV to add 100 miles of range in just five minutes. This technology solves the long charging waits that frustrates so many drivers.
Whie traditional EV batteries take an hour or more to charge, this new technology reduces the stop to something closer to filling up at a gas station.
Why Silicon Matters
Besides being more energy-dense than graphite, silicon is also more abundant and environmentally friendly to source. This means that it leaves a much smaller ecological footprint compared to other rare metals used in the production of EV batteries today.
EV Makers Eye Rapid Adoption
StoreDot says the technology is compatible with existing gigafactory infrastructure and therefore ready for mass production. The company is already liaising with global carmakers, and industry experts believe that the adoption of the new technology will be adopted easily and faster.
Since the technology is in its initial stages, it is expected that the upfront costs will go lower with time. drivers will also have time to learn about the new technology and gain confidence to try the new EV batteries.
Why It’s Such a Big Deal
Many drivers are still hesitant about switching to EVs because of these main issues:
- Battery life– How long the battery last before replacement.
- Range anxiety – How far a car can go on one charge.
- Charging times- Time it takes for a battery to charge to full capacity.
The new StoreDot’s technology addresses these three concerns. Their battery has a 600,000-mile lifespan and charges within five minutes. Due to its high-energy density design, the EV is equal to or even better than traditional combustion systems in terms of reliability and convenience.
“A 600,000-mile battery doesn’t just mean fewer trips to the charger, it could mean the end of range anxiety altogether,” says Molly Davidson.
The Next Phase for EVs
The new design EV batteries by StoreDot are in the lab-phase and are therefore still waiting for validation for mass production. If they perform as expected in real-world applications, they will have a big impact in the auto industry.
It will be a big win for consumers because it will mean affordable EVs that can last longer before replacement. For automakers, it will accelerate adoption at a time when the world is pushing to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles.
Conclusion
A 600,000-mile battery will be a turning point in the auto industry. Soon, battery degradation that has been amajor concern in the adoption of EVs will be a thing of the past. If StoreDot’s innovation scales to mass production, many drivers could switch to electric.