Electric Car Battery Technology ?

Three separate energy news items recently hit my in box and has me interested.

The first was a video about an area in the south west of England which holds the secret to the next big energy break through. The presenter couldn’t say too much about it as he was sworn to secrecy. He managed to talk for half an hour without revealing anything other than it was nothing to do with Fracking.

The second news snippet was about a Quantum Glass Solid State Battery invention

Solid-state batteries are predicted to replace the liquid or polymer electrolyte found in current lithium-ion batteries with a hard conductive material such as a solid polymer or ceramic.

The challenge, however, is in finding such a solid that is conductive enough to be used in large batteries. This is what the likes of Toyota and Sakti3 aim to solve.

The third bit of information said that James Dyson of Dyson Vacuum Cleaners would be using solid state batteries to power the electric cars he will be producing at his new factory in Singapore. He would not give any details about the solid-state battery technology other than he was very excited at the development potential of his company’s battery.

My imagination can run wild at times, but I think the secret area that is claimed to be the source of the next big energy breakthrough contains a mineral or raw material that is the secret ingredient to make solid state batteries capable of quick charging and be a store of high electric power.

The target must be a battery that fully charges as quick as filling a car’s fuel tank. Such speed would eliminate the present situation of paying more to charge faster. It should also have the electric energy capacity to deliver the same or better miles travelled per recharge as the equivalent size tank of fossil fuel.

That there is confidence this will be achieved is evident by the rapid growth of recharging points. Some Supermarkets are considering charging points in car parking bays so that customers can trickle charge while they shop.

Many filling station chains are installing echarging points alongside petrol pumps. Sat Navs on evehicles give the nearest echarging points.

Here’s a thought - With the equally big strides being made with self-drive vehicles, I might yet be able to have another car. At my age 92, that will pose some problems. As I would be in charge of the vehicle, I would need a licence. But I couldn’t pass a practical driving test, so will a theory test be enough?

Should I bother? Mind how you go. Exciting times ahead!