These should have more energy and performance, and be manufactured on a sustainable material basis. They should also be safer and more cost-effective and should already consider end-of-life aspects and recycling in the design. Therefore, it is necessary to accelerate the further development of new and improved battery chemistries and cells.
Because lithium-ion batteries are able to store a significant amount of energy in such a small package, charge quickly and last long, they became the battery of choice for new devices. But new battery technologies are being researched and developed to rival lithium-ion batteries in terms of efficiency, cost and sustainability.
But new battery technologies are being researched and developed to rival lithium-ion batteries in terms of efficiency, cost and sustainability. Many of these new battery technologies aren’t necessarily reinventing the wheel when it comes to powering devices or storing energy.
Then there might be improved lithium-ion batteries, maybe using silicon anodes or rocksalt cathodes, for mid-range vehicles, or perhaps solid-state lithium batteries will take over that class. Then there might be LiS or even lithium–air cells for high-end cars — or flying taxis. But there’s a lot of work yet to be done.
These next-generation batteries may also use different materials that purposely reduce or eliminate the use of critical materials, such as lithium, to achieve those gains. The components of most (Li-ion or sodium-ion [Na-ion]) batteries you use regularly include: A current collector, which stores the energy.
Expect new battery chemistries for electric vehicles and a manufacturing boost thanks to government funding this year. BMW plans to invest $1.7 billion in their new factory in South Carolina to produce EVs and their batteries. AP Photo/Sean Rayford Every year the world runs more and more on batteries.