Submitted via IRC for AndyTheAbsurd
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.
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Nikola Unveils Three Reservation Packages for the Badger Electric Pickup Truck
Nikola, the manufacturer of an electric version of the heavy-truck, experienced a phenomenal bull run last week, prompted by the news of an imminent opening of reservations for the much-anticipated Badger electric pickup truck. Today, Nikola Motors tweeted further details regarding the seminal event, currently slated for the 27th of June.
[...] The first Nikola Badger reservation package will cost $250 and will entail a $500 discount applicable to the Badger's MSRP – expected to vary between $60,000 and $90,000. The package also contains a ticket to the Nikola World 2020 in order to view the Badger in-person. Finally, the package will entail 2 entries into a ballot for the Badger giveaway.
[...] As a refresher, Nikola unveiled the Badger electric pickup truck back in February 2020 to compete with Tesla's much-anticipated Cybertruck. According to the details revealed by the company, the Badger will retail in two power configurations: an FCEV (Fuel-Cell Electric) or BEV (Battery-Electric). Though it sports a much more conventional design as opposed to the Cybertruck's sharp corners and the futuristic vibe, the Badger offers impressive specs. As an illustration, the electric truck will offer a headline range of 600 miles through either of the two power configurations. Moreover, it will offer an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, a torque of up to 980 pounds-feet, and a peak horsepower of 906.
Previously: Nikola Semi Startup Shines on Wall Street With $34BN Valuation
Related: Nikola Corporation to Unveil Game-Changing Battery Cell Technology at Nikola World 2020
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(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.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 20 2019, @02:24PM (1 child)
This company is amazing! Batteries *and* throat lozenges [youtube.com]? Wow, what will these guys think of next?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 20 2019, @02:28PM
"What is electricity?" for $100, Alex.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by takyon on Wednesday November 20 2019, @03:12PM (2 children)
Now the drones can fly 1 hour instead of 30 minutes.
Doesn't seem like a lot but it can help in eliminating more humans or enabling a more efficient surveillance state. Also, at least another capacity/kg doubling will probably happen [cleantechnica.com].
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 20 2019, @06:27PM (1 child)
Or you can spend more time looking for disaster survivors, or performing a wildlife census, or getting to spend more time exploring the bottom of the oceans.
Gee, isn't it pretty neat how technology can be used in so many different ways?
Whaddya say after work we go and smash some power looms?
(Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday November 20 2019, @09:34PM
Get your priorities straight. Weapons first! Spycams close behind.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 4, Insightful) by tizan on Wednesday November 20 2019, @04:36PM (1 child)
so many times in the last 15 years we heard this kind of stuff.
Fuel cell with hydrogen or ethanol and what not ...going to change everything.
Yet Li based batteries are still there and are improving at a very slow pace but regularly.
Will believe the hype when it does hit the market and survive.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 20 2019, @08:50PM
to be fair, fuel cells exist commercially and work quite well. They aren't used in vehicles because of the difficulty in storing the hydrogen safely, the need for yet another type of fuel at gas stations (or a new type of station) and the overall weight.
What is being presented in this look to be a significant, but not unrealistic, improvement in battery technology. Much like LI was over the predecessors.
What I would like to know is how well it works in cold weather (Li sucks in the cold climate) and how long they last (number of recharged and years on the shelf).
(Score: 1) by paul_engr on Wednesday November 20 2019, @04:37PM (1 child)
All talk and smoke blowing, not a single fucking delivery. Will believe it when it ships.
(Score: 2) by bzipitidoo on Wednesday November 20 2019, @08:13PM
There's abundant reason to doubt. Maybe for a better read of how believable this is, some info about their research budget, or the university that originated it, could help.
(Score: 2) by HiThere on Wednesday November 20 2019, @08:24PM
I suppose I could do a search, but there have been enough spectacular battery tech announcements that I don't feel like bothering.
Now when they actually make it public, that will be something else. Even if it's no better in other ways than existing batteries, good batteries that don't depend on a Lithium supply would be a significant boon.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 21 2019, @06:03AM
Then the circle of life will be complete.