A nickel–zinc battery (Ni–Zn battery or NiZn battery) is a type of rechargeable battery similar to nickel–cadmium batteries, but with a higher voltage of 1.6 V. Larger nickel – zinc battery systems have been known for over 100 years.
Chargers for nickel–zinc batteries must be capable of charging a battery with a fully charged voltage of 1.85 V per cell, higher than the 1.4 V of NiMH. NiZn technology is well suited for fast recharge cycling, as optimum charge rates of C or C/2 are preferred.
When asked about the future of zinc-based batteries, Burz painted a promising picture. He noted that Enzinc's zinc anode is cathode-agnostic, meaning they can pair it with various cathodes to meet different market needs.
Enzinc's approach to entering the market aims to adapt existing factories to produce premium batteries with Enzinc technology. This strategy significantly contributes to scalability and accessibility, as it harnesses the manufacturing capabilities of legacy battery factories, which currently exceed 400 GWh.
Nickel–zinc batteries perform well in high-drain applications, and may have the potential to replace lead–acid batteries because of their higher energy-to-mass ratio and higher power-to-mass ratio – as little as 25% of the mass for the same power.
This innovation addressed the problem and led to a significantly higher energy density, making zinc batteries a viable solution for contemporary applications. Enzinc's approach to entering the market aims to adapt existing factories to produce premium batteries with Enzinc technology.