Ever since electric vehicles have hit the roads, car owners have been anxious on how far they can go without needing the need to recharge their car batteries. The most commonly bought electric cars have batteries that range from 120 to 150-mile range on a full charge, which may not be enough when going on long drives. Most of these cars, as innovative as they are, have been used mostly as daily drivers only and are commonly used in the city.
Toyota Develops Technology To Observe Behavior Of Cells
Toyota, the largest automotive manufacturer in the world, has come up with a technology that may determine the real cause of why the batteries are being depleted. The idea is to use a method that will allow Toyota to make real-time observations of the behavior of lithium ions in an electrolyte when the battery charges and discharges. They will analyze the results, which in turn be used for research and development of newer, more efficient batteries.
A Li-Ion battery uses metal oxide in the cathode, an organic electrolyte, and a carbon material in the anode. When a battery is charging, Lithium ions flow in the electrolyte from the cathode to the anode, and from the anode to the cathode when discharging. Irregularities of the li-ion happen during the charging and discharging which causes the limited use and lifespan of the battery. Toyota wants to analyze what behavior exactly causes deterioration in an attempt to reverse the process, or at least maximize the life of the components, which should result in longer running batteries.
Toyota Beamline Will Be Used For X-Ray Technology
The observation method will have two features. The first is to use the Toyota Beamline in the Spring-8 synchrotron radiation facility, which has the highest synchrotron radiation performance. The Beamline produces high-intensity X-rays that averages at approximately one billion times greater than a normal one. The second feature will utilize a new electrolyte containing heavy elements that could replace the ion cells containing phosphorous.
Toyota Aims For Reliability Of Car Batteries
Currently, the only known electric vehicle with the farthest mile range is the Tesla Model S, which can go as far as 300. However, the Model S comes with a hefty price tag that may not be affordable for regular road users. The technology, hopefully, will not only make batteries longer running but also make it consumer and wallet friendly. Technology does come with a price, but more and more vehicle manufacturers are turning their sights into electric cars, and so does the consumers.
Hopes are high, as Toyota has been well known for having the most budget friendly yet reliable vehicles. Although no goal has been set or announced yet on how long the batteries will last. Consumers can rest assure that Toyota will not only develop batteries for their own cars but will also pave the way for other manufacturers to follow through. Once developed, it will only be a matter of time for other companies like Tesla and Nissan to adapt the technology, resulting in better running electric cars for all consumers to enjoy, whether for regular city driving or cruising in the countryside.
