Winter remains one of the worst enemies of electric cars. But a new battery could change that. American researchers promise ultra-fast charging, even in freezing temperatures.
The cold continues to pose serious problems for electric cars. In Norway, a test conducted At 5°C, range losses of up to 30% were already observed. In Canada, in more extreme conditions ranging from -15 to -7°C, 14 models tested showed much greater drops. The Tesla Model 3, for example, traveled only 255 km instead of the advertised 584 km. Range is plummeting, recharges take longer, and drivers must completely rethink their winter journeys.
To meet this challenge, researchers from the University of Michigan, in association with Arbor Battery Innovations has developed a battery capable of recharging in just 10 minutes, even at -10°C. This performance is based on two key elements: a specially designed electrode and an innovative coating. According to laboratory tests, the cells showed no noticeable degradation after around 100 cycles. 3D structure, which allows the ions to circulate quickly despite the cold. To further improve the speed of ion movement, the researchers used a laser to modify the graphite of the anodes. This creates channels that facilitate the absorption of lithium. However, this process can cause a phenomenon called "lithium plating," where the latter is poorly deposited, reducing performance and increasing the risk of short circuits.
To avoid this phenomenon, the scientists added a thin protective layer of 20 nanometers based on lithium borate-carbonate. This coating prevents unwanted deposits while allowing rapid recharging, even at very low temperatures. The result: the battery reaches a full charge in 10 minutes at -10°C, without any drop in efficiency. This advancement could be integrated into existing production lines without major modifications. Ultimately, it would allow electric cars to maintain their performance in winter, without compromising their range or charging time.
Source: joule
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