What's on the Cards for Electric Vehicle Batteries?

Every year, the globe becomes increasingly reliant on batteries. Previously, electric vehicles surpassed 10 per cent of worldwide vehicle sales, and by the end of this decade reaching 30 per cent is the target.

FREMONT, CA: The most expensive component of an EV is likely the battery. Although the price of the EV battery has already decreased greatly due to the usage of the ever-popular lithium-ion batteries and gradually rising production volumes, further reductions in price are anticipated as EV battery designs have improved and less expensive materials are used in their production

The use of some materials in EV battery cells that are not only expensive but also non-sustainable is a significant challenge. However, very little change is expected in EV battery design in the future, the key concern of EV battery manufacture is the use of materials that are not only less expensive but also long-term sustainable.

Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LiFP)

These batteries' cathodes are built of lithium-iron phosphate, which is much more affordable and contains many minerals from natural sources. The fact that LiFP batteries are less likely to catch fire than lithium-ion batteries is a major positive.

Solid-state Cells

The development of solid-state cells is a major focus of battery research. The electrolyte in these battery cells is solid rather than liquid. As a result, the battery is more stable, has a bigger storage capacity, and charges faster. These batteries use sulphide superionic conductors and perform at supercapacitor levels with a charging period of only 7 minutes.

Carbon Nanotube Electrodes

The vertically aligned carbon nanotubes can increase battery output ten times. Additionally, it boasts a five-fold increase in battery longevity and a three-fold increase in energy storage. In just 5 minutes, this battery can be charged up to 80 per cent.

Sand-made Batteries

Batteries that use sand, one of the most widely-available materials, and pure silicon are also actively being developed. These batteries serve as a high-capacity and high-power reservoir for extra wind and solar energy. This extra energy can be used to heat homes, produce hot steam, and supply high-temperature process heat to fossil fuel-dependent enterprises by storing it as heat. Compared to contemporary lithium-ion batteries incorporating graphite, this battery performs three times better.

Silicon Anode Batteries

Silicon anode battery combines carbon nanotubes and mesoporous silicon microparticles. This can be used as the anode instead of graphite in a battery similar to the sand battery previously discussed. The battery has ten times the capacity and performs far better. Since the silicon in this battery is made from barley husk ash, it is more environmentally friendly.

Ryden Dual Carbon Tech Batteries

Compared to lithium-ion batteries, the Ryden Dual Carbon Tech Batteries are designed for durability and quicker charging. Existing plants that produce lithium-ion batteries can already produce these batteries. The Ryden Dual Carbon Tech battery also offers a charging speed that is up to 20 times faster than that of ordinary batteries, higher sustainability, and environmental friendliness. This battery features completely new chemistry, with carbon serving as both the anode and the cathode.

Aluminum-air Batteries

Air is used to provide oxygen for the cathode in aluminium-air batteries. The result is a battery that is significantly lighter than lithium-ion batteries because it doesn't have a liquid electrolyte. Additionally, it guarantees a much longer driving range. Since aluminium air batteries are entirely recyclable, they are environmentally friendly. In contrast to lithium-ion technology, which requires highly flammable organic toxins-based electrolytes, aluminium air battery technology only uses a water-based, toxin-free electrolyte. A 1,000-mile driving range on a single charge was achieved in a recent test on an experimental automobile.

Zinc-air Batteries

Zinc-air batteries are preferred over lithium-ion batteries because they are less flammable and temperature-stable. The principal uses of zinc-air batteries, such as button cells for hearing aids and large-scale batteries for industrial usages, like electric fences and train power supplies, are best recognised. Zinc-air batteries remain stable for up to three years when stored in a room temperature, dry environment.

Graphene Batteries

Compared to lithium-ion batteries, graphene batteries have 33 times faster charging and depletion times. It offers a 500-mile driving range and a quick recharge time of a few minutes. Graphene is used as a component in the electrodes of a particular class of battery known as graphene batteries.  This battery can increase conductivity and enable quicker charge and discharge cycles. A higher storage capacity in a smaller space is made possible by the high surface area of graphene, which can also boost the energy density of the battery.

Nanowire Batteries

Gold nanowires found in these batteries are a thousand times thinner than a human hair. To avoid deterioration when recharging, these nanowires are placed on an electrolyte gel. In a recent test, the battery was recharged 200,000 times over three months while still in the experimental stage and showed no symptoms of degradation.

The use of ecologically friendly and sustainable materials promotes sustainability in EV batteries, as evidenced in the battery trends described above. The elimination of cobalt, a hazardous mineral used in the production of EV batteries, will be advantageous in the future.