Latest news with #batteries
Auto Car
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
How BYD's Blade battery technology slices EV charging times
EV drivetrains and particularly batteries are developing at a remarkable pace compared with the combustion engine. As a result, range has increased but probably even more marked is the desire to bring charging times in line with ICE refuelling. BYD recently announced its Super e-Platform along with the latest 'flash-charge' version of its lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) Blade battery, which is promised to get close to ICE refuelling times by recharging in six minutes. The new platform is claimed to support charging at up to 1000kW, which seems incredible given the typical rapid-charge rate was 50kW just a few years ago. The name Blade describes the unusual design of the battery, where long, slim cells almost a metre in length make up the pack, rather than modules packed full of smaller pouch, cylindrical or prism cells. In that sense it's unusual, but its LFP chemistry isn't. The advantage of LFP lies in being economical, cobalt- and nickel-free and, above all, safer. LFP battery chemistry is often used in stationary battery systems (including domestic solar systems) and releases heat slowly and doesn't release oxygen if damaged. BYD has demonstrated that its Blade battery cell passes the nail penetration test without emitting fire or smoke, whereas a cell based on alternative chemistry like NMC (lithium, nickel, manganese, cobalt oxide) subjected to the same test reacts violently. While the basic chemistry of the LFP battery isn't extraordinary, achieving a charge rate of 10C for the BYD flash-charge battery is. The 'C' rate is the rate at which a battery charges relative to its capacity and illustrates how quickly a battery can accept and discharge energy.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Europe's lithium quest hampered by China and lack of cash
Europe's ambition to be a world player in decarbonised transportation arguably depends on sourcing lithium abroad, especially in South America. Even the bloc's broader energy security and climate goals could depend on securing a steady supply of the key mineral, used in batteries and other clean energy supply chains. But Europe has run into a trio of obstacles: lack of money, double-edged regulations and competition from China, analysts told AFP. China has a major head start. It currently produces more than three-quarters of batteries sold worldwide, refines 70 percent of raw lithium and is the world's third-largest extractor behind Australia and Chile, according to 2024 data from the United States Geological Survey. To gain a foothold, Europe has developed a regulatory framework that emphasises environmental preservation, quality job creation and cooperation with local communities. It has also signed bilateral agreements with about 15 countries, including Chile and Argentina, the world's fifth-largest lithium producer. But too often it fails to deliver when it comes to investment, say experts. "I see a lot of memoranda of understanding, but there is a lack of action," Julia Poliscanova, director of electric vehicles at the Transport and Environment (T&E) think tank, told AFP. "More than once, on the day that we signed another MoU, the Chinese were buying an entire mine in the same country." The investment gap is huge: China spent $6 billion on lithium projects abroad from 2020 to 2023, while Europe barely coughed up a billion dollars over the same period, according to data compiled by T&E. - Lagging investment - At the same time, the bottleneck in supply has tightened: last year saw a 30 percent increase in global demand for lithium, according to a recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). "To secure the supply of raw materials, China is actively investing in mines abroad through state-owned companies with political support from the government," the IEA noted. China's Belt and Road Initiative funnelled $21.4 billion into mining beyond its shores in 2024, according to the report. Europe, meanwhile, is "lagging behind in investment levels in these areas", said Sebastian Galarza, founder of the Centre for Sustainable Mobility in Santiago, Chile. "The lack of a clear path for developing Europe's battery and mining industries means that gap will be filled by other actors." In Africa, for example, Chinese demand has propelled Zimbabwe to become the fourth-largest lithium producer in the world. "The Chinese let their money do the talking," said Theo Acheampong, an analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations. By 2035, all new cars and vans sold in the European Union must produce zero carbon emissions, and EU leaders and industry would like as much as possible of that market share to be sourced locally. Last year, just over 20 percent of new vehicles sold in the bloc were electric. "Currently, only four percent of Chile's lithium goes to Europe," noted Stefan Debruyne, director of external affairs at Chilean private mining company SQM. "The EU has every opportunity to increase its share of the battery industry." - Shifting supply chains - But Europe's plans to build dozens of battery factories have been hampered by fluctuating consumer demand and competition from Japan (Panasonic), South Korea (LG Energy Solution, Samsung) and, above all, China (CATL, BYD). The key to locking down long-term lithium supply is closer ties in the so-called "lithium triangle" formed by Chile, Argentina and Bolivia, which account for nearly half of the world's reserves, analysts say. To encourage cooperation with these countries, European actors have proposed development pathways that would help establish electric battery production in Latin America. Draft EU regulations would allow Latin America to "reconcile local development with the export of these raw materials, and not fall into a purely extractive cycle", said Juan Vazquez, deputy head for Latin America and the Caribbean at the OECD Development Centre. But it is still unclear whether helping exporting countries develop complete supply chains makes economic sense, or will ultimately tilt in Europe's favour. "What interest do you have as a company in setting up in Chile to produce cathodes, batteries or more sophisticated materials if you don't have a local or regional market to supply?" said Galarza. "Why not just take the lithium, refine it and do everything in China and send the battery back to us?" Pointing to the automotive tradition in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, Galarza suggested an answer. "We must push quickly towards the electrification of transport in the region so we can share in the benefits of the energy transition," he argued. But the road ahead looks long. Electric vehicles were only two percent of new car sales in Mexico and Chile last year, six percent in Brazil and seven percent in Colombia, according to the IEA. The small nation of Costa Rica stood out as the only nation in the region where EVs hit double digits, at 15 percent of new car sales. avl/mh/np/jxb/sco
Sustainability Times
13 hours ago
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Still at 99.8%': Revolutionary Zinc-Iodine Battery Holds Nearly Full Capacity After 500 Brutal Charge Cycles
IN A NUTSHELL 🔋 Researchers in Australia developed a new zinc-iodine battery technology offering safer and more sustainable energy storage. technology offering safer and more sustainable energy storage. ⚡ The innovative dry electrode technique enhances performance and stability by preventing dendrite growth, crucial for battery longevity. enhances performance and stability by preventing dendrite growth, crucial for battery longevity. 🌍 This breakthrough positions zinc-iodine batteries as a viable alternative to lithium-ion for large-scale and grid storage applications. for large-scale and grid storage applications. 🔧 Future prospects include optimizing the technology to double energy density and exploring other halogen chemistries for broader applications. In a groundbreaking development, scientists in Australia have unveiled a cutting-edge zinc-iodine battery technology that promises to revolutionize energy storage solutions. This innovation is set to provide energy storage providers with cheaper, safer, and longer-lasting batteries, particularly beneficial for renewables and grid stability. With the increasing demand for sustainable and efficient energy storage systems, this breakthrough could mark a significant shift in how energy is stored and utilized globally, paving the way for more reliable and environmentally friendly power solutions. The Science Behind Zinc-Iodine Batteries Zinc-iodine batteries have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries, primarily due to their intrinsic safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. The recent advancement, spearheaded by researchers at the University of Adelaide, involves the development of a dry electrode technique that significantly enhances the performance of these batteries. By mixing active materials as dry powders, the team created thick, self-supporting electrodes, offering enhanced performance and stability. A key innovation is the addition of 1,3,5-trioxane to the electrolyte, which forms a flexible protective film on the zinc surface during charging. This film prevents the growth of dendrites—sharp, needle-like structures that can cause short circuits in batteries. As explained by Professor Shizhang Qiao, this protective measure is crucial in maintaining the battery's longevity and safety, addressing one of the major challenges faced by energy storage technologies today. 'Trash Into Power': Scientists Create Batteries From Industrial Waste to Store Green Energy and Rewrite the Future of Sustainability Comparing With Lithium-Ion Batteries While lithium-ion batteries have long dominated the energy storage market, their limitations in terms of safety, cost, and environmental impact have prompted the search for alternatives. The new zinc-iodine technology stands out due to its ability to retain a significant percentage of its capacity over numerous charge cycles. Pouch cells with the new electrodes maintained 88.6% capacity after 750 cycles, while coin cells demonstrated a remarkable 99.8% retention after 500 cycles. Such performance metrics position zinc-iodine batteries as a viable competitor for grid-scale storage applications. The high iodine loading and stable zinc interface allow these batteries to store more energy at a lower weight and cost, making them an attractive option for large-scale energy storage. This innovation not only holds the potential to disrupt the current market but also encourages the adoption of more sustainable energy practices. 'Solar Just Beat Coal': Historic Milestone as EU Electricity Is Now Powered More by the Sun Than by the World's Dirtiest Fuel Advantages and Future Prospects The dry electrode technique offers several advantages over conventional battery technologies. The dry-processed electrodes can hold more active material, enhancing the energy density and reducing self-discharge rates. This improvement is critical for applications requiring stable and long-lasting energy storage solutions, such as renewable energy integration and grid balancing. Looking forward, the researchers plan to optimize the technology further, potentially doubling the system energy density by refining current collectors and minimizing excess electrolyte. The prospect of scaling this technology using reel-to-reel manufacturing techniques also opens up opportunities for widespread industrial adoption. As the team explores other halogen chemistries, such as bromine systems, the scope for innovation in this field continues to expand. 'Bury Them Deep': Nuclear Reactors Planted One Kilometer Underground Could Deliver Cheap and Ultra-Safe Energy for Decades Implications for the Energy Industry This breakthrough in zinc-iodine battery technology holds significant implications for the energy industry, particularly in the context of renewable energy integration. By providing a safer and more cost-effective storage solution, energy providers can better manage supply and demand, enhancing grid stability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The potential to scale this technology for use in utilities and microgrids further underscores its importance in the transition towards a more sustainable energy future. The research team's success in developing this technology not only highlights the capabilities of zinc-iodine batteries but also sets a precedent for future innovations in energy storage. As industries and governments worldwide seek to address the challenges of climate change and energy security, such advancements are crucial in driving progress towards a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of sustainable energy storage, this innovation raises an intriguing question: What other groundbreaking technologies lie on the horizon to transform how we store and use energy? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (21)
Top Gear
a day ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
A company is developing a fancy electrolyte to charge EV batteries four times faster
Electric A groundbreaking thing might have just happened for electric car batteries Skip 3 photos in the image carousel and continue reading A company called 24M Technologies has created an electrolyte called Eternalyte that it reckons will revolutionise the way electric car batteries work. Big claims, but it might be onto something. Rather than switching out to a solid-state electrolyte, this special sauce (the recipe for which is kept under wraps) makes the ions move between the anode and cathode more quickly and at a greater rate. Advertisement - Page continues below The result? A charge rate four times faster than conventional batteries, giving around 186 miles of juice in less than four minutes, using – get this – standard charge points. Yup, there's no need for ultra-fast charging infrastructure. Granted, 24M's own spec sheet states the gravimetric energy density of the battery cell is 350Wh/kg, and Merc's working on solid-state batteries with 450Wh/kg power density. Still, 24M's proprietary liquid electrolyte has other cool properties, literally. Where cold weather can reduce current battery capacity by about 25 per cent at freezing point, the boffins at 24M reckon Eternalyte helps a battery maintain all of its usability at 0°C and more than 80 per cent capacity if you get down as low as -40°C. Since we haven't any polar expeditions planned, we'll take their word for it. You might like Eternalyte has been developed for lithium-ion batteries, but the laboratory tests have shown similar results in lithium-metal, silicone-based and graphite-based batteries, too. There's also improvement in the battery lifecycle. Naoki Ota, 24M Technologies boss, said: "24M's Eternalyte electrolyte breakthrough solves some of the biggest challenges of lithium-ion batteries today. Rapid charge, superior low-temperature performance and great cycle life with lithium-metal and other high energy density chemistries, Eternalyte provides outstanding performance for applications ranging from EVs to consumer products. It paves the way for next-gen batteries, including lithium metal, with 1,600-kilometer driving range and years of reliable performance.' Advertisement - Page continues below Almost 1,000 miles on a single charge sounds like progress, right? Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Euro Manganese and Integrals Power Sign LOI and Offtake Term Sheet to Strengthen LMFP Battery Supply Chain
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 18, 2025) - Euro Manganese Inc. (TSXV: EMN) (ASX: EMN) (FSE: E060) (the 'Company' or 'Euro Manganese') announced today that it has entered into an offtake term sheet dated June 18 (the 'Term Sheet') with Integrals Power Limited ('IPL'), for the sale of high-purity manganese sulphate from the Company's Chvaletice Manganese Project ('Chvaletice' or the 'Project') in the Czech Republic. Highlights Martina Blahova, CEO of Euro Manganese, commented: 'We are excited to partner with Integrals Power to advance new battery technologies. IPL's innovative cathode materials are at the forefront of the global transition towards safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective battery solutions and are designed to support a wide range of applications. We look forward to supplying fully traceable, responsibly produced products that enhance energy efficiency and drive emissions reduction.' Behnam Hormozi , CEO of Integrals Power, commented: 'Our collaboration with Euro Manganese is a major step forward in securing a reliable, traceable, and local supply of high-purity manganese - a key ingredient in our L(M)FP cathode materials. This partnership enhances Integrals Power's ability to scale cathode production sustainably while supporting the growing demand for high-performance battery technologies across UK & Europe. It aligns perfectly with our mission to build a resilient, transparent supply chain that underpins the energy transition.' About Euro Manganese Euro Manganese is a battery materials company focused on becoming a leading producer of high-purity manganese for the electric vehicle industry. The Company is advancing development of the Chvaletice Manganese Project in the Czech Republic and an early-stage opportunity to produce battery-grade manganese products in Bécancour, Québec. The Chvaletice Project is a unique waste-to-value recycling and remediation opportunity involving reprocessing old tailings from a decommissioned mine. It is also the only sizable resource of manganese in the European Union, strategically positioning the Company to provide battery supply chains with critical raw materials to support the global shift to a circular, low-carbon economy. Euro Manganese is dual listed on the TSX-V and the ASX. About Integrals Power Integrals Power is a next-generation battery technology company committed to accelerated research, development and commercialisation of state-of-the-art battery. IPL's latest battery material development results empower economical cells with higher performance compared to conventional alternatives. Integrals' innovations are designed to support a wide range of applications, from electric vehicles (EVs) and grid-scale storage, to defence, motorsports, maritime, and portable power systems, with an emphasis on localised supply chains, high performance, and regulatory compliance. For more information visit: Authorized for release by the CEO of Euro Manganese Inc. Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) or the ASX accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Enquiries Martina Blahova Chief Executive Officer +1 (604) 681-1010 [email protected] LodeRock Advisors Neil Weber Investor and Media Relations - North America +1 (647) 222-0574 [email protected] Jane Morgan Management Jane Morgan Investor and Media Relations - Australia +61 (0) 405 555 618 [email protected] Company Address: #709 -700 West Pender St., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 1G8 Website: Follow us on: LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Click Here to Subscribe to our mailing list for updates Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release constitute 'forward-looking statements' or 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company, its Chvaletice Project, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as 'may', 'would', 'could', 'will', 'intend', 'expect', 'believe', 'plan', 'anticipate', 'estimate', 'scheduled', 'forecast', 'predict' and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will' be taken, occur or be achieved. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Such forward-looking information or statements also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's intentions regarding the development of the Chvaletice Project, the ability of any collaboration between Euro Manganese and IPL to strengthen the LMFP battery supply chain, timelines for testwork, ability to pre-qualify Euro Manganese's HPMSM as a feedstock for IPL's LMFP cathode and the supply chain and potentially lead to further collaboration with IPL, ability of Euro Manganese to enter into an offtake agreement with IPL, and ability to supply fully traceable, responsibly produced products that enhance energy efficiency and drive emissions reduction. All forward-looking statements are made based on the Company's current beliefs including various assumptions made by the Company including that the Chvaletice Project will be developed and operate in accordance with current plans, that the Company will be able to raise the financing that it requires, and that it will meet conditions of its secured credit facility. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: risks and uncertainties related to maintaining necessary licenses or permits; risks related to acquisition of surface rights; securing sufficient offtake agreements; the availability of acceptable financing; the potential for unknown or unexpected events to cause contractual conditions to not be satisfied; developments in EV (Electric Vehicles) battery markets and chemistries; and risks related to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, changes in laws or regulations; and regulation by various governmental agencies. For a further discussion of risks relevant to the Company, see 'Risk Factors' in the Company's annual information form for the year ended September 30, 2024, available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
