New British innovation promises longer range for electric cars
15 October 2024 08:53
The range of electric cars is a key factor influencing their popularity. Recent studies indicate that a British innovation might significantly increase it. Will they truly succeed?
Electric cars are becoming more popular, but a common concern is their limited range. To address users' growing needs, manufacturers and scientists worldwide are searching for ways to extend the distance electric cars can travel before recharging. The British company Integrals Power is leading this effort.
Range in electric cars: What affects it and how can it be increased?
The range of electric cars is crucial to the comfort and practicality of using these vehicles daily. While the primary determinant is battery capacity, other factors such as aerodynamics, vehicle weight, driving style, and weather conditions significantly influence range. In cold weather, battery efficiency can drop, resulting in the car consuming more energy to heat the cabin.
Adopting several simple driving techniques, such as avoiding sudden acceleration and braking, can improve range. These techniques help optimize energy use. Energy recovery systems that convert kinetic energy into additional power for recharging the battery are also beneficial. Advances in battery technology, including new generations of cells, contribute to extending the range of electric cars, offering greater efficiency and durability.
British innovation could enhance electric car range
In the race to maximize the electric car range, the British company Integrals Power has introduced an innovation that could revolutionize this market segment. Their solution involves next-generation cathode materials made of lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP). The breakthrough lies in the increased manganese content in the cathode material—from 50-70% to as much as 80%. Higher manganese concentration allows cells to reach greater capacity and efficiency.
This new cathode technology achieves a capacity of 150 mAh/g at a voltage of 4.1V, which is 0.65V higher than traditional lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. This significant improvement can directly affect the range of electric cars, a crucial factor for consumers in today's evolving electromobility landscape. Utilizing such batteries will enhance the distance cars can travel and increase battery lifespan, which is important from a cost-saving perspective.
