Next-generation battery may unlock the future for electric vehicles

[TexasTowelie]

A UC Irvine physicist is one of many researchers seeking to bring new lithium-ion batteries to the EV market.


To curb global warming, policymakers say, we need to switch from gas-powered cars to driving clean, non-polluting electric vehicles.

Major automakers plan to make that happen, promising a full line of electric vehicles by 2030. But there’s just one little speed bump on the road to electrification: We don’t have the capacity to make enough batteries for all those plug-ins.

Electric vehicle sales will jump four-fold in the U.S. in the next five years, climbing from 1.8% of all car sales in 2020 to about 7% in 2026, according to market research firm AutoPacific of Tustin. The U.S. Department of Energy projects a 5- to 10-fold increase in global EV battery demand by 2030.

Startups, university research teams and auto manufacturers are rushing to meet this demand by developing improved EV batteries that charge faster, last longer, have more energy and eliminate the use of cobalt — an important ingredient that’s increasingly rare and expensive.

Read more: https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/06/18/next-generation-battery-may-unlock-electric-vehicles-future/
(San Jose Mercury News)

[mac2766]

1. Very good news!

[Vogon_Glory]

2. Replacing I/C engines isn't just about global warming, it's also about

Reducing air pollution.

Millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of folks in other places live in urban and quasi-urban areas prone to pollutants emitting from automobile and truck tailpipes. Electric cars can lead to cleaner air in our cities and suburbs.