Breakthrough May Mean Longer-lasting Electric Vehicle Batteries

Engineers have been working for several years on designing lithium-ion batteries – the most common type of rechargeable batteries – without cobalt. SCIENCE VIA SWNS.

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Longer-lasting electric vehicle batteries could be on the horizon following a breakthrough.

Scientists have discovered the reason batteries lose capacity over time.

It is well known that, for example, older mobile phones run out of power more quickly.

But, until now, the common phenomenon was not completely understood.

An international research team led by an engineer at the University of Colorado, Boulder, has uncovered why such batteries degrade over time.

They say the discovery could lead to the development of better batteries, which would allow electric vehicles to run farther and last longer.

According to the findings, it could also advance energy storage technologies, which would accelerate the transition to “clean” energy.

Study leader Professor Michael Toney of the University of Colorado, Boulder, said, “We are helping to advance lithium-ion batteries by figuring out the molecular-level processes involved in their degradation.

“Having a better battery is very important in shifting our energy infrastructure away from fossil fuels to more renewable energy sources.”

Engineers have been working for several years on designing lithium-ion batteries—the most common type of rechargeable battery—without cobalt.

Cobalt is an expensive rare mineral, and its mining process has been linked to environmental and human rights concerns.