A British firm is on the cusp of a game-changing electric car breakthrough.
Nyobolt, which is based in Cambridge, has tested its new electric car batteries in a driveable prototype that can charge twice as fast as any other currently fitted to an EV.
Range and charging speed are two of the biggest barriers to electric car adoption, and this new battery tech promises to make save users valuable time.
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The company has tested its batteries in a new EV prototype and it can replenish its cells from 10 to 80 per cent in 4 minutes and 37 seconds.
The only catch is the battery is a tiny 35kWh lithium-ion unit, which is about half the size of the batteries found in road going EVs.
Even if you double the battery size it should theoretically take less than 10 minutes to get to 80 per cent.
Battery makers don’t quote charging to 100 per cent as electric cars generally slow the rate of charge for the first 10 per cent and final 20 per cent to help preserve the battery and to stop overheating.
The company claimed the key to its unique ability to offer ultra-fast charging without impacting battery life is its low impedance cells that generate less heat, making it easier to manage such high-power levels during charging.
Adding to Nyobolt’s impressive battery tests are that it managed 4000 full fast charging cycles, which the company said equals about 960,000km, and claimed the battery retained more than 80 per cent usable capacity.
Currently most electric cars on sale guarantee their batteries for roughly 160,000km and eight years with a minimum of about 70 per cent capacity.
Nyobolt's batteries are a big step forward and the company said it is in discussion with eight carmakers to use its battery tech.
Electric car batteries are the next battlefront for carmakers, with the first brand to get advanced items into cars to hold a massive advantage.
Several makers are closing in on solid state batteries, which are often thought as the silver bullet for mass EV adoption.
The potent cells are lighter, smaller, faster charging, more energy dense than current lithium-ion units and capable of delivering a claimed range of more than 1000km.
Solid state batteries are also claimed to be safer and less fire prone than current units.
This is achieved by using a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid or gel used in conventional units.
Chinese brand GWM revealed earlier this year it can make small capacity solid state batteries and only needs scale them up for production.
Toyota is targeting 2026 to install the batteries in its EVs and Nissan will follow soon after.
Other Chinese brands such as Nio and IM Motors have created semi-solid state batteries.
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