Battery technologies coming down the road

**Second Chance** · 08-28-2022, 12:34 PM

While doing some reading/research on EVs to appease my wife (I think we have the best car for us at this time, but I promised her I would look into it), I came across this CNET video on battery technologies currently under development. It may be old news to some of you, but I found it pretty interesting. Just because the video focuses on batteries for EVs doesn't mean the same technologies couldn't be useful for us in RV World.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/videos...-battery-tech/

Rob

**MoonShadow_1911** · 08-28-2022, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Second Chance

While doing some reading/research on EVs to appease my wife (I think we have the best car for us at this time, but I promised her I would look into it), I came across this CNET video on battery technologies currently under development. It may be old news to some of you, but I found it pretty interesting. Just because the video focuses on batteries for EVs doesn't mean the same technologies couldn't be useful for us in RV World.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/videos...-battery-tech/

Rob

Yes, there are new technologies that are being tested, the energy density of the battery is a big draw (no pun intended), so is the cost of the materials since lithium is expensive, and the stability of the battery.

**SolarPoweredRV** · 08-28-2022, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by Second Chance

While doing some reading/research on EVs to appease my wife (I think we have the best car for us at this time, but I promised her I would look into it), I came across this CNET video on battery technologies currently under development. It may be old news to some of you, but I found it pretty interesting. Just because the video focuses on batteries for EVs doesn't mean the same technologies couldn't be useful for us in RV World.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/videos...-battery-tech/

Rob

For RVs, I think the battery tech to watch is LFP batteries. There are new chemistries that are increasing the energy density of LFPs that are approaching energy densities of today's Lithium Ion batteries. One chemistry that is being used by CATL and possibly Tesla are LMFP (Lithium, Magnesium, Iron, Phosphate).

**Butcher** · 09-02-2022, 10:00 AM

Like all new technologies, it will take time for them to become reliable. I'll keep what I got.

Since CA put a line in the sand about gas engines, I suspect battery technology will be in overdrive. In 10 years, LifePo4 batteries will be like lead acid batteries today.

We will see.

**NB Canada** · 09-02-2022, 11:26 AM

The industry needs to be completely changed IMO
Once the world becomes aware of how devastating mining for the current materials are things will have to change.
Then what is the answer to everything else needed to build an EV? The interiors for example
I think we are generations away from anything changing

**MoonShadow_1911** · 09-02-2022, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by NB Canada

The industry needs to be completely changed IMO
Once the world becomes aware of how devastating mining for the current materials are things will have to change.
Then what is the answer to everything else needed to build an EV? The interiors for example
I think we are generations away from anything changing

You are correct. UC - Berkey physics research lab has some promising research on a high density battery that uses common materials. The biggest issue right now is that it takes "a very long time" to charge it. Some of the preliminary numbers I've seen place the charging rate at 6-12 times the discharge rate. So if it takes 1 hour to discharge the battery, it will take between 6 and 12 hours to charge it. They are working on it, though.

**NB Canada** · 09-02-2022, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by MoonShadow_1911

You are correct. UC - Berkey physics research lab has some promising research on a high density battery that uses common materials. The biggest issue right now is that it takes "a very long time" to charge it. Some of the preliminary numbers I've seen place the charging rate at 6-12 times the discharge rate. So if it takes 1 hour to discharge the battery, it will take between 6 and 12 hours to charge it. They are working on it, though.

Someone better be working on all the other materials needed to build an EV at the same time
Fossil fuels are still required to build an EV and once that industry loses all the revenue from gasoline it may become very expensive and scarce

**MoonShadow_1911** · 09-02-2022, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by NB Canada

Someone better be working on all the other materials needed to build an EV at the same time
Fossil fuels are still required to build an EV and once that industry loses all the revenue from gasoline it may become very expensive and scarce

Oh yeah, most people talking about how "clean" EVs are, usually don't know what goes into manufacturing them.

**Ynot4me2** · 09-02-2022, 11:43 AM

My Mach E got finally built and will be delivered to the dealer the week of Oct 3rd. It took us a while to decide. Looking forward to it.
And yes, battery technology will always be changing until something completely different comes along.
They've come a real long way already.

**hobienick** · 09-02-2022, 12:48 PM

My favorite new battery tech is the nano diamond battery (https://ndb.technology/). As with many new technologies, it is still being developed. Assuming it is successful, I like this tech because we can use nuclear to power the grid and we would then have a use for the waste generated for our portable needs. I am a huge fan of finding new uses for waste material.

I find it similar to when we started to use gasoline from lamp oil refining.