U.S. electric vehicle battery startup Alsym Energy has launched a battery storage solution that not only provides lithium-ion battery performance at a lower cost without the risk of the latter sometimes catching fire.
It is reported that the cathode of the new battery developed by the company is mainly manganese oxide, the anode is another metal oxide, and the electrolyte is water-based, but it has not disclosed the exact chemical composition of the battery. Notably, however, Alsym Energy said the battery does not use lithium, cobalt or nickel to avoid issues related to material availability and cost.
The company said it expects the battery to cost less than half that of current lithium-ion batteries. An added bonus is that the batteries are easier to recycle due to the use of non-toxic materials.
Alsym's chief executive and co-founder said the company had partnered with a top Indian automaker to develop new batteries, although Chatter declined to name the automaker.
It is reported that the company's scientists and product development team are located in Massachusetts, and is currently developing a 500-kilowatt-hour prototype manufacturing facility. Alsym says its batteries can be produced in existing lithium-ion battery factories with little to no retrofit and no need for expensive drying chambers, fire locks and solvent recovery systems.
In addition to EV batteries, Alsym's batteries can also be used in stationary energy storage and marine applications, but use relatively common materials such as manganese and aluminum. Ultimately the company hopes to work with manufacturing partners to make the batteries, with a target of 2025.
