Lithium-metal batteries could double the range of an electric vehicle. Still, their life cycle is short because they degrade very fast. Stanford scientists found a simple way to extend their lives and improve performance, making the new battery cells ideal for electric vehicles.
Today, Li-ion batteries power almost everything, from radios and mobile phones to headphones, drones, vacuum cleaners, and electric vehicles. Li-ion batteries also serve as energy storage devices for homes or businesses. Because there is no perfect lithium-ion battery, people use different chemistries and packages depending on their use cases.
Most battery cells in modern electric vehicles use an NCA (Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum) or NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt) chemistry because they provide high density and long service life. Lithium-ion-phosphate (LFP) cells can offer a price-conscious alternative for budget EVs, trading off energy density for a longer life cycle. However, better lithium-based battery cells could replace current cell types in future electric vehicles.
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