One fix for the EV battery fire problem

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In the case of shopping for an electrical automobile, two considerations usually deter potential patrons: driving vary and battery security. Strong-state batteries, which depend on safer, strong electrolytes, have lengthy held the promise of decrease fireplace danger and prolonged vary. But, regardless of years of growth and funding, these next-generation batteries have but to turn into a actuality.

For the world’s battery makers which have guess massive on the brand new know-how, the clock is ticking because the sector faces squeezed margins and slowing EV gross sales development in developed markets. An interim answer addressing security considerations might present a profitable alternative whereas shopping for them extra time.

The concern of EV battery fires is usually amplified by critics. Data exhibits EVs are far much less more likely to catch fireplace in contrast with petrol or hybrid vehicles — there are 25 fires per 100,000 EVs bought versus 1,530 for petrol vehicles, in keeping with the US Nationwide Transportation Security Board.

However when fires do happen in lithium-ion batteries, they are often extra harmful — burning hotter, escalating rapidly, and releasing poisonous gases — making a notion of heightened danger. Latest high-profile circumstances, equivalent to the fireplace from a parked Mercedes EV, which used a battery made by Chinese language maker Farasis Vitality, in South Korea late final yr have exacerbated fears. The hearth took eight hours to extinguish and broken round 880 different vehicles within the storage the place the automobile was parked.

Strong-state batteries are introduced as a safer different, particularly in high-impact eventualities equivalent to frontal collision. They comprise non-flammable strong electrolyte supplies as a substitute of the unstable natural liquid electrolytes in additional broadly used batteries. Some automobile and battery makers have began testing prototypes and constructing pilot manufacturing strains.

However mass manufacturing might show difficult within the quick time period. Supplies used within the batteries are costlier. New manufacturing services require important funding, particularly daunting for a sector already operating on slim margins. Established lithium-ion batteries, with many years of growth and the benefit of economies of scale, pose a major barrier for the brand new know-how to compete on price.

Within the meantime, it’s value when EV fires are most definitely to happen to see the place enhancements may be made. A complete of 511 EV fires occurred between 2010 to the top of final June primarily based on knowledge from 40mn EVs globally, together with plug-in hybrids, in keeping with analysis institute EV FireSafe. The info exhibits that amongst fires with recognized causes, collisions and highway particles accounted for the biggest share by far.

This means that enhancements to the EV’s base construction, utilizing designs and supplies that supply higher shock absorption throughout collisions, might assist improve the protection of present lithium-ion batteries — with out requiring an entire overhaul of current battery know-how. 

CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, is among the corporations that has adopted this strategy. Its newest focus has been on redesigning the flat, skateboard-like platform with 4 wheels which serves as the inspiration of an EV. The purpose is to decrease the danger of fires by including protecting features for the battery, equivalent to the flexibility to disconnect circuits inside 0.01 seconds of a collision and discharge residual vitality, in addition to utilizing submarine-grade high-strength metal within the chassis. In crash assessments at speeds of 120km/h, its new design withstood frontal impacts with out catching fireplace, in keeping with the corporate. 

There may be an additional advantage for battery makers in a position to supply these options in a single bundle. The skateboard chassis of EVs consolidates important elements together with the batteries, electrical motors and controls right into a single base construction. This simplifies the manufacturing course of, chopping prices and accelerating timelines for brand new fashions. It additionally expands its goal market to incorporate automakers and start-ups on the lookout for a faster entry into the EV market.

The potential of solid-state batteries to reshape the EV market stays clear. However the longer-than-expected growth timeline is including strain to battery makers to pursue different income streams within the meantime. As gross sales development in key markets continues to gradual, safety-related developments will turn into a essential differentiator in driving the following part of EV adoption.

june.yoon@ft.com