Electric vehicles
other. However, the separator is permeable so ions can pass through. 12 During charging, lithium ions migrate from the cathode to the anode because of the energy provided by external power supplies and the batteries are charged. Discharging is when the same ions travel back to the cathode while simultaneously releasing energy that causes a current to flow through the external circuit. The BMS is a technology that supervises the temperature and charge of a battery to ensure it is balanced. 13
There are many advantages in using batteries instead of petrol. These include a lower cost to distance ratio, less maintenance, high energy efficiency, and high- end performance. Furthermore, as most batteries are flat and integrated into the chassis of EVs the centre of gravity is lowered indicating greater stability and there is also more interior space. 14
EV Battery Design courtesy of Tech Space: https://youtu.be/6sqY6DoeAkw
What is to come 4.1 Battery enhancements
To improve the range of EVs, scientists are researching methods to improve the energy density, efficiency, and durability of batteries. To increase the energy density of batteries, scientists have considered two main methods: changing the chemical composition of the battery or the state of the battery, by which I mean using solid electrolytes instead of conventional liquid ones. Recent technology has showed that nickel-cobalt-aluminium and nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries have a higher energy density and can increase EV ranges up to 300 and even 400 miles in the case of Tesla Model S Long Range. In terms of solid-state batteries, there is still much research to be done; however, this solution offers not just potential ranges up to 500 miles but also improvements in safety aspects and charging time. Although these are the two main ways of increasing range, developing a more advanced BMS would also help increase efficiency of batteries. Soon, BMS can incorporate machine learning with predictive algorithms to optimize energy usage based on driving patterns and conditions. 15
4.2 Charging innovations
Due to the advent of EVs, there has been a growing demand for charging infrastructure. As a response to this, governments and many private companies around the world have started to invest in the construction of copious amounts of charging station. Not only are there more charging stations, but stations are integrated into existing infrastructure such as parking lots in office buildings, garages in homes, hotels, restaurants, and shopping centres. In addition, the charging itself has also seen advancements with ultrafast charging being able to recharge an EV battery’s capacity up to 80% within 15 minutes. Chinese company NIO’s innovative solution involves battery swapping that can restore depleted batteries with fully charged ones in a matter of minutes. 16
12 Larminie & Lowry 2012. 13 Ibid.
14 Lesics 2017. 15 Lidhoo 2023. 16 Mitra 2023.
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