lithium around the head
Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in electric cars. They certainly helped popularize the new mode of transport, but they have serious drawbacks: they are highly flammable, there is still a limited travel range for electric cars, and such batteries do not charge as quickly.
Lithium metal batteries are one possible way to overcome these shortcomings. For example, the specific capacity of such a battery can be increased by 35% compared to lithium-ion batteries, Oleg Klyavin, founder and chief designer of Change Mobility Together (Technology Consulting Center), the developer of electric vehicles, told socialbites.ca.
He noted that lithium metal batteries have other important qualities.
Such batteries have a record density of 560 Wh/kg (twice the lithium-ion) and retain up to 88% capacity even after the 1000th charge.
They will also charge faster, which means they will make the operation of the electric car more comfortable.
The subtleties of work
Both types of batteries use lithium to generate electricity and have a similar general structure: anode (battery negative electrode), cathode (battery positive electrode), and electrolyte.
The electrolyte helps to transfer lithium ions between the electrodes, that is, to regulate the flow of electric current. To prevent short circuits, there is a separator (permeable membrane) that separates the anode and cathode but allows lithium ions to pass through.
In a lithium-ion battery, the anode is made of graphite. It is only a carrier for lithium ions and cannot store energy or generate current, but adds weight to the battery.
In lithium metal batteries, the anode is made of lithium rather than graphite. Such a battery is more energy efficient – its atoms can also generate current and store more energy for the same weight and volume as a lithium-ion battery.
Klyavin noted that the electrolyte prevents the destruction of the cathode, so the life of the lithium metal battery is longer.
However, lithium is a reactive material. Contact with liquid electrolyte can damage the battery, including fire. To solve this problem, developers turned to solid-state battery technology to replace the separator and liquid electrolyte with their solid equivalents.
So far, active development continues in the United States. QuantumScape announced that they produced a ceramic electrolyte and separator. Solid Power has succeeded in producing an electrolyte based on sulphides (sulphurous metal compounds).
Battery company 24M, funded by the US Department of Energy, is working on a ceramic polymer blend for the electrolyte.
“The mass production of electric vehicles has not started in Russia, and accordingly, in many respects, batteries are not produced for this reason. Although there is also the possibility of production in the theory of technology, ”added Klyavin.
Benefits of a new battery
Thanks to the capabilities of the lithium-based anode, electric cars will have more energy and, accordingly, can travel longer distances.
24M says its batteries are up to 30% more energy efficient, and Solid Power claims that figure is more than 50%. QuantumScape has tentatively calculated that the upgraded batteries will increase the range of an electric vehicle by 80% compared to a lithium-ion battery of the same size.
An electric car that can travel approximately 400 km on a single standard charge will be able to travel approximately 720 km with a new battery. This is St. from Moscow, 712 km along the highway. More than the distance to St. Petersburg.
The absence of graphite reduces battery degradation, which usually occurs due to side chemical reactions between carbon atoms and the liquid electrolyte. Accordingly, this will provide longer battery life battery.
Solid Power estimates that an electric car can be charged to more than 80% in less than 20 minutes. well charging speed will increase significantly. This is because the lithium anode does not take the time it takes for the lithium ions to diffuse into the carbon particles in the graphite anode.
The flammability of the electric vehicle battery is mainly due to its liquid electrolyte. Replacement with alternative, solid electrolytes, Increases passenger safety and reduces the risk of fire.
By reducing the cost of anode materials and manufacturing costs The cost of batteries will also decrease..
According to Klyavin’s estimates, the cost of a lithium metal battery would be 15-35% lower on average due to the lower cost of anode materials.
“Taking into account the increased battery capacity, using such batteries will be more profitable than modern lithium-ion batteries,” said the expert.
According to QuantumScape, electric vehicles with new batteries will cost about $30,000 (about 2.5 million rubles at the current exchange rate).
Breakthrough or breakthrough?
Experts disagree on the extent to which the new batteries will help popularize electric cars in Russia and to what extent they will affect the environment.
Mikhail Blinkin, director of the HSE Institute for Transport Economics and Transport Policy, told socialbites.ca that he considers it pointless to talk about the advantages of new batteries without referring to fundamental changes in other energy issues.
“Actually, this is Europe, following the left-wing ecological fashion. I take it with a hearty laugh. Simply put, it’s all bullshit. “Yes, it will be a little better, but it will be a little worse, let people argue,” he said.
Blinkin pointed out that there are two key points for him: where does the electricity come from and “where am I going to throw this garbage (battery of an electric car. — Ed.)”.
“When the battery is smaller than a tool in the general dump, it’s not a tragedy. But imagine, in the same Moscow there are about 500 thousand electric vehicles. And where will all those batteries go? We do not have a civilized separate garbage collection. We will arrange such an environment for ourselves, it will not seem sufficient.”
According to him, it is extremely important to provide clean energy generation to charge electric cars. Explaining that Russia is full of cities that produce dirty energy, Blinkin cited Krasnoyarsk as an example.
Electric car developer Klyavin admitted that the difference between the two batteries in terms of environmental friendliness is small.
In addition, the expert pointed out that electric car batteries are unique for each model and are inextricably linked with electric car design, unlike the combined batteries used in cars with internal combustion engines.
In this regard, it is not possible to talk about the possibility of getting rid of the battery and replacing it with a new one. Recycling rules mean replacing the entire car with electricity, not a separate battery.
“For electric car models already on the market, replacing existing batteries will only be possible if the electric car manufacturer reveals such a possibility.”
Source: Gazeta
