European battery specialist, Axeon, has revealed new technology which could significantly increase electric vehicle range.
The company, backed by the UK's Technology Strategy Board and partners Ricardo and Allied Vehicles, has proved it is possible to replace Lithium Iron Phosphate, currently used in most battery cells, with Nickel Cobalt Magnesium (NCM) for battery packs.
The Axeon NCM battery pack Image: Axeon |
The new technology is set to be used in batteries for electric vehicles with a claimed 35% improvement in range for the same battery weight. The NCM cells can also be used in power tools and mobile applications to provide longer use before charging.
The benefits of NCM, particularly in requiring half the volume and one third less mass than traditional electro-chemical elements, have been known for some time. What was less certain, before the Axeon partnership project, was whether the benefits of NCM at cell level could be translated to the macro level of entire battery packs.
The evidence was displayed by the project team in the form of a demonstration pack which uses NCM 'pouch' cells packaged in a modular block and will allow battery packs to be easily re-shaped for a variety of protoype uses.
According to Allied Vehicles, which has used the batteries in a test vehicle, the benefits on the road include greater ground clearance, improved weight distribution and more power, all of which offers an enhanced driving experience.