UK-based Allotrope Energy says it has developed a lithium-carbon battery that can be used in mopeds and scooters with charging times as short as 90 seconds. The new battery is supplied to the manufacturer by Mahle Powertrain, a global Tier 1 supplier to the automotive and transportation markets.
According to Allotrope, this fast-charging capability is due to the high specific power of lithium-carbon batteries, which can exceed 15 kilowatts per kilogram, compared with the standard 10 kilowatts per kilogram for other lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium carbon is suitable for some applications but not others. Lithium carbon is ideal for electric mopeds and scooters because these vehicles and their charging requirements are relatively simple. It is fairly easy to make lithium-carbon batteries to replace the ferrous phosphate or lead-acid products in use today.
In theory, the battery can be fully charged in 60 seconds. The 90-second charge time is due to the limitations of the charging infrastructure, not the battery.
For the large batteries used in electric vehicles, there simply isn't enough grid capacity to handle lithium-carbon batteries. That's why the chemical is unlikely to be used in larger vehicles anytime soon.
Lithium-carbon batteries from Allotrope Energy are expected to be in production by the end of this year. If charging times for electric vehicles could be drastically shortened, many of the concerns about electric vehicles would be eliminated.
In addition to mopeds and scooters, there are other potential applications for lithium-carbon batteries. Allotrope is also in talks with charging station operators to create battery-backed buffers for electric vehicle charging systems and marine dock charging systems.
In addition to the high specific power, another advantage of the lithium-carbon material is that it does not use cobalt or nickel, two elements that pose a threat to the supply chain of traditional lithium-ion battery manufacturers. Cobalt supplies are particularly limited.
Today, the electric vehicle revolution will be stalled by battery shortages, much to the desperation of many. Allotrope Energy doesn't have a solution for all situations, but some supply shortages could be avoided if its lithium-carbon technology is used effectively in some cases.
