London, England – An innovative electric car battery developed by UK start-up Nyobolt showcased its rapid charging capabilities by going from 10% to 80% in a mere four minutes and 37 seconds during its initial live demonstration on a test track in Bedford. This breakthrough is part of a broader industry effort to accelerate the charging process for electric vehicles (EVs).
Comparatively, a Tesla supercharger currently takes around 15-20 minutes to charge a car battery to 80%. Experts emphasize that overcoming “range anxiety” is crucial for increasing the adoption of EVs, underscoring the importance of enhancing the charging infrastructure.
Paul Shearing, a Professor of Sustainable Energy Engineering at Oxford University, highlighted the significance of developing technology that aligns with the time it takes to refuel a traditional car. He stressed the need for diverse charging options to cater to the growing demand for faster charging solutions.
The Nyobolt battery, tested in a concept sports car over two days, achieved a 120-mile range within four minutes, whereas a Tesla charged to 80% typically reaches up to a 200-mile range. Dr. Sai Shivareddy, Nyobolt’s co-founder, expressed satisfaction with the results of the demonstration, despite facing challenges such as a heatwave and technical glitches during the live event.
Nyobolt’s goal is not to manufacture vehicles but to partner with existing car manufacturers to integrate their high-speed charging technology in EVs on a small scale within a year. The company aims to address degradation concerns by ensuring the battery maintains 80% charging capacity after 4,000 cycles.
In a global race to develop more powerful, lightweight, and durable batteries, other companies like Toyota and US start-up Gravity are also making strides in rapid-charging technology. However, Dr. Edward Brightman, a lecturer in chemical engineering at Strathclyde University, underscores the critical need for upgrading infrastructure to support widespread EV adoption, emphasizing the importance of deploying rapid chargers capable of efficiently delivering the charge to batteries.