A UK company can now charge a batter in minutes. Elon Musk is paying very close attention to these developments.
A UK start-up, Nyobolt, has made significant progress in electric vehicle (EV) battery technology, achieving a remarkable charging milestone. In a recent live demonstration, Nyobolt’s battery charged from 10% to 80% in just four minutes and 37 seconds. This test was conducted using a concept sports car on a Bedford test track, showcasing a potential breakthrough in reducing EV charging times.
Currently, a Tesla supercharger takes about 15-20 minutes to charge a battery to 80%, highlighting the advancement Nyobolt’s technology could bring to the industry. The quick charging capability is seen as crucial to overcoming “range anxiety,” a common concern among potential EV buyers worried about battery life and charging availability.
Electric car battery charges in under five minutes in track test
In its first live demonstration, an electric car battery developed by UK start-up Nyobolt has successfully charged from 10% to 80% in four minutes and 37 seconds. pic.twitter.com/fsCOYqG4nC
— CIOVenture (@cio_venture) June 28, 2024
Paul Shearing, a Professor of Sustainable Energy Engineering at Oxford University, emphasized the importance of developing faster charging technologies that align with conventional refueling times. He also noted the need for more widespread charging infrastructure to support the growing demand for quick charging solutions.
During the demonstration, the Nyobolt-equipped sports car achieved a range of 120 miles after just four minutes of charging, compared to a Tesla at 80% charge offering up to 200 miles. Despite these impressive results, the test faced several challenges, including a UK heatwave, a malfunction in the car’s cooling system, and issues with standard chargers not optimized for Nyobolt’s technology. These issues prevented the battery from achieving its lab-tested capability of charging from 0% to 100% in six minutes.
🚨🇬🇧 Nyobolt’s 5-Minute EV Battery Charge
Nyobolt, a British battery company based in Cambridge, has developed an electric car battery that can charge from 10% to 80% in under five minutes. The battery, with a 35kWh capacity, achieved this charging speed using a 350kW charger,… pic.twitter.com/8UIoU6IGhG
— Tamarind 🌐 (@PGTamarind) June 28, 2024
Dr. Sai Shivareddy, co-founder of Nyobolt, described the demonstration as a significant step toward electrification, despite the hurdles. He revealed that Nyobolt does not plan to manufacture its vehicles but instead aims to partner with existing car brands to integrate its battery technology. The company anticipates that its batteries could be used in EVs on a small scale within a year.
The technology requires 350kW DC superfast chargers, which are available but not yet widespread in the UK. Nyobolt claims its battery technology also minimizes degradation, maintaining 80% charge capacity even after 4,000 cycles. This is a notable improvement over other battery technologies, such as those used in smartphones, which typically retain 80% functionality after 1,000 cycles.
The radical @nyobolt concept becomes reality with 350kW charging, a 150-mile range and a sub-1250kg kerbweight – and they *could* put it into production! https://t.co/ZuqBTuLqUl pic.twitter.com/XOJ4JPrtAU
— Autocar (@autocar) June 28, 2024
Globally, the race to develop faster-charging, more efficient batteries is intensifying. Companies like Toyota and U.S.-based Gravity are also making advancements, with Toyota working on a solid-state battery that could charge in ten minutes and offer a range of 1,200 km, and Gravity developing a charger that can add 200 miles of range in under 13 minutes.
Dr. Edward Brightman, a lecturer in chemical engineering, pointed out that while rapid charging is beneficial, especially for long journeys, the broader challenge for widespread EV adoption remains the supporting infrastructure. He stressed the urgency of upgrading the grid and deploying rapid chargers capable of meeting the new battery technologies’ needs.
Key Points:
- Rapid Charging Test: Nyobolt’s battery technology achieved a charge from 10% to 80% in just over four minutes during a live demonstration, significantly faster than current standards.
- Industry Impact: This advancement could play a crucial role in addressing “range anxiety” and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles.
- Challenges Encountered: The demonstration faced obstacles such as extreme weather and equipment issues, which hindered achieving the optimal charging time demonstrated in controlled tests.
- Future Plans: Nyobolt intends to partner with established car manufacturers to incorporate its battery technology into mainstream EVs within the next year.
- Infrastructure Needs: Experts highlight the necessity for enhanced grid capabilities and more rapid charging stations to fully support the next generation of electric vehicle batteries.
James Kravitz – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
