New research reveals that battery manufacturing will be more energy-efficient in future because technological advances and economies of scale will counteract the projected rise in future energy demand.
Although the invention of new battery materials leads to a significant decrease in the battery cost, the US DOE ultimate target of $80/kWh is still a challenge (U.S. Department Of Energy, 2020). The new manufacturing technologies such as high-efficiency mixing, solvent-free deposition, and fast formation could be the key to achieve this target.
Advancements in battery technology are increasingly focused on developing clean tech solutions. Improved battery manufacturing processes reduce reliance on scarce raw materials and enhance recyclability of existing batteries.
Recent advancements have introduced several innovative strategies to tackle pressing issues such as extended charging times, restricted driving ranges, and accelerated battery degradation due to heat generation.
Modern battery technology offers a number of advantages over earlier models, including increased specific energy and energy density (more energy stored per unit of volume or weight), increased lifetime, and improved safety .
Next-generation batteries are also safer (less likely to combust, for example), try to avoid using critical materials that require imports, rare minerals, or digging into the earth, and can store more energy (letting you drive further in your electric vehicle before finding a charging station, for example).