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Nikola Corporation is excited to announce details of its new battery that has a record energy density of 1,100 watt-hours per kg on the material level and 500 watt-hours per kg on the production cell level. The Nikola prototype cell is the first battery that removes binder material and current collectors, enabling more energy storage within the cell. It is also expected to pass nail penetration standards, thus reducing potential vehicle fires.
This battery technology could increase the range of current EV passenger cars from 300 miles up to 600 miles with little or no increase to battery size and weight. The technology is also designed to operate in existing vehicle conditions. Moreover, cycling the cells over 2,000 times has shown acceptable end-of-life performance.
Nikola's new cell technology is environmentally friendly and easy to recycle. While conventional lithium-ion cells contain elements that are toxic and expensive, the new technology will have a positive impact on the earth's resources, landfills and recycling plants.
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Wednesday November 20 2019, @02:23PM (13 children)
Summary doesn't say how that compares to present technology. How many watt-hours per kg are we getting now?
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 4, Informative) by Immerman on Wednesday November 20 2019, @02:37PM (5 children)
Indeed, that's important information for comparison.
A quick Google suggests that Tesla's Model 3 powerpacks fall somewhere around 200kWh/kg
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 20 2019, @02:54PM (4 children)
I think you added a kilo that shouldn't be there https://www.epectec.com/batteries/cell-comparison.html [epectec.com]
(Score: 2) by ledow on Wednesday November 20 2019, @03:06PM (1 child)
According to that graph, then, this is nothing special.
Unless you include that the *material* could be more dense, the actual *battery cells* (with all the packaging and gumpfh to make them work) are the same density as a top-end Li-Ion cylindrical cell.
There are lies, damn lies, and press releases...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 20 2019, @03:53PM
Well, when I look at the graph I notice it more than doubles the gravimetric energy density. So that's no small improvement, if that's combined with other possible improvements like material costs, recycling options, ... I would even call it a jump forward.
However, the phrasing of those additional benefits triggers my "marketing / lawyer speak" alarm. The lack of volumetric density details adds to those alarm bells. So yeah, may be not a jump.
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Wednesday November 20 2019, @03:23PM (1 child)
Quite right, good catch. Should be ~200Wh/kg
(Score: 4, Informative) by takyon on Wednesday November 20 2019, @03:32PM
https://cleantechnica.com/2019/04/04/swiss-startup-innolith-claims-1000-wh-kg-battery-breakthrough/ [cleantechnica.com]
This 2019 article suggests Tesla is at 250 Wh/kg, and is looking to increase that to 330 Wh/kg.
250 Wh/kg is consistent with the claim that a 500 Wh/kg battery could double electric vehicle range.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday November 20 2019, @03:05PM (2 children)
250 -> 500
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by krishnoid on Wednesday November 20 2019, @11:49PM (1 child)
I think about 8 hours x 60 mph = 480 miles is the magic number before you at least have to take a break, stretch, etc., if not completely call it a day. At that point, range anxiety -- which seems like it's the final frontier -- vs. existing internal combustion consumer cars is no longer an issue, and I bet the auto/accessories/maintenance market will completely flip over.
(Score: 2) by krishnoid on Friday November 22 2019, @12:22AM
Whoops, never mind [slashdot.org].
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 20 2019, @03:25PM (2 children)
That's because it is "game changing". It probably "moves us one step closer" to some grandiose solution for All Mankind or something.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 20 2019, @06:26PM (1 child)
If true then yes, it is massively game changing as it makes electric vehicles better than pretty much everything else. Massive decrease in pollution and reduced cost of transportation.
Why the cynical bullshit bruh?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 21 2019, @12:59AM
Game changing. .
Someone stole the basketball, tossing a football in the court.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by captain normal on Wednesday November 20 2019, @11:21PM
A 198 AH AGM marine battery weighs 131 lbs (~60 kg).
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--group-4d-dual-purpose-agm-battery-198-amp-hours--15020266?recordNum=14 [westmarine.com]
Maybe one of Musk's LI batteries will deliver storage for less weight. But it would be hard to beat 500 AH in a couple of pounds weight.
When life isn't going right, go left.