This article discusses the potential of graphene batteries as energy storage systems in electric vehicles (EVs). Graphene has several advantages over other commercial standard battery materials, including being strong, lightweight, and more abundant. Image Credit: tong patong/Shutterstock.com
As car manufacturers continue to throw research funding at solid-state batteries, graphene has emerged as the next technology that might “revolutionize,” “reinvent,” or “redefine” the battery (depending on which managerial word one prefers).
Moreover, graphene batteries are also cost-efficient and more sustainable than many other EV batteries. Among the different graphene-based battery technologies and types, graphene lithium-ion batteries are expected to be implemented in the next 1-3 years, solid-state batteries within the next 4-8 years, and graphene supercapacitors within 10 years.
A number of battery technologies and types can be developed based on graphene. The most promising among them include lithium-metal solid-state batteries, solid-state batteries, supercapacitors, graphene-enhanced lead-acid batteries, graphene sodium-ion batteries, graphene aluminum-ion batteries, and graphene lithium-ion batteries.
Graphene aluminum-ion batteries can become the primary EV battery in the future as graphene aluminum cells can charge 60 times faster compared to lithium-ion cells, and hold significantly more energy than pure aluminum cells. For instance, graphene aluminum-ion cells can recharge an AA battery within a minute and a coin-cell battery in 10 seconds.
While car-sized graphene batteries are not ready for the road, some auto companies are earnestly trying to make them happen. A change in battery chemistry could end the problem of poor performance in the cold.