A University of Michigan study describes a modified manufacturing process for Li-Ion batteries that can dramatically increase charging speed without adversely affecting battery life. The benefits of this process extend to charging in sub-freezing temperatures.
Currently, to prevent slow charging in cold temperatures, some EVs can pre-heat their batteries so they charge as quickly as in warm temperatures. But that pre-heating uses up battery power.
If battery resources were not expended to achieve faster charging, EVs would arrive at charging stations carrying a greater battery charge. That alone would reduce the time required to charge. However, this process also increases the charging speed.
The study was published in Joule, a monthly, peer-reviewed scientific journal that focuses on research and analysis related to sustainable energy solutions, bridging disciplines and scales of energy research.
Neil Dasgupta, corresponding author of the study, is a U-M Associate Professor for mechanical engineering and for materials science and engineering. He said, "We envision this approach as something that EV battery manufacturers could adopt without major changes to existing factories."
"For the first time, we’ve shown a pathway to simultaneously achieve extreme fast charging at low temperatures, without sacrificing the energy density of the lithium-ion battery."
Of course, most so-called "battery breakthroughs" never pan out, but I was reassured by the study appearing in a peer-reviewed journal and impressed the process didn't require major changes to existing factories. No magic anode elements or secret rare earths were required.
Full disclosure: I'm biased because I'm a Michigan Wolverine computer engineering graduate still living in Ann Arbor. If my MINI Cooper SE (110-mile EPA range) could achieve an 80% DC charge in 6 minutes instead of 30, long-distance trips would almost be feasible.
Currently, to prevent slow charging in cold temperatures, some EVs can pre-heat their batteries so they charge as quickly as in warm temperatures. But that pre-heating uses up battery power.
If battery resources were not expended to achieve faster charging, EVs would arrive at charging stations carrying a greater battery charge. That alone would reduce the time required to charge. However, this process also increases the charging speed.
The study was published in Joule, a monthly, peer-reviewed scientific journal that focuses on research and analysis related to sustainable energy solutions, bridging disciplines and scales of energy research.
Neil Dasgupta, corresponding author of the study, is a U-M Associate Professor for mechanical engineering and for materials science and engineering. He said, "We envision this approach as something that EV battery manufacturers could adopt without major changes to existing factories."
"For the first time, we’ve shown a pathway to simultaneously achieve extreme fast charging at low temperatures, without sacrificing the energy density of the lithium-ion battery."
Of course, most so-called "battery breakthroughs" never pan out, but I was reassured by the study appearing in a peer-reviewed journal and impressed the process didn't require major changes to existing factories. No magic anode elements or secret rare earths were required.
Full disclosure: I'm biased because I'm a Michigan Wolverine computer engineering graduate still living in Ann Arbor. If my MINI Cooper SE (110-mile EPA range) could achieve an 80% DC charge in 6 minutes instead of 30, long-distance trips would almost be feasible.
