Did you know that by 2040, battery demand from EVs produced in Europe will reach a total of 1,200 gigawatt-hours per year, which is enough for 80 Gigafactories, according to Mckinsey. There are some promising developments in the field of solid-state batteries, which could offer higher energy density, faster charging, lower cost and lower fire risk than conventional lithium-ion batteries.
UK battery tech company Nyobolt has confirmed plans to begin EV battery production by 2026
A new UK battery tech company coming to the market, yes, please! Brace yourself as Nyobolt, a UK-based company is going to be offering high-power, fast-charging, battery power and technology based on niobium-doped lithium-ion chemistry.
The company was co-founded in 2019 by Professor Clare Grey, DBE, FRS and Dr Sai Shivareddy, and has operations in the UK, the US, and Asia. The company also claims that its batteries can charge in less than six minutes and power applications ranging from power tools and home appliances to electric vehicles and industrial robotics.
Nyobolt seems to be a promising player in the EV batteries market. In July 2022, Nyobolt raised 50 million pounds ($59 million) in Series B funding to build a UK manufacturing plant in 2023 to produce millions of battery cells, according to U.S. News.
The company also partnered with Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) to support and advance next-generation battery-powered automotive powertrains. Nyobolt recently hired ex-Innovate UK battery sector specialist Anna Wise as Head of Strategic Programmes to oversee the delivery of the company’s product strategy. The EV battery market is on the up and Nyobolt is ready to grace the global EV battery market with its presence that’s for sure.
Who makes electric batteries for electric cars?
There are many companies that make electric batteries for electric cars, but the top two are Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) and LG Energy Solution. They are both based in Asia and supply batteries to major car makers such as Tesla, BMW, GM, and Porsche, according to My Car Voice.
CATL is the largest global seller of batteries for electric and hybrid cars, with a market share of 32.5% in 2021. LG Energy Solution is the second largest among other battery manufacturers, with a market share of 21.5%. They use lithium-ion technology, which is the most common type of battery for electric cars, according to Car magazine.
Some battery makers and other notable EV battery manufacturers such as Panasonic, BYD, Samsung SDI, SK Innovation, AESC, and Guoxuan also use lithium-ion technology too. Some of them have joint ventures or partnerships with car makers or other battery companies to increase their production capacity and market share.
Electric car batteries are mainly produced in Asia, especially China, Japan, and South Korea. However, some battery manufacturers are also expanding their operations to other regions, such as Europe and North America, to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles and to reduce the reliance on imports.
For example, CATL is planning to build a battery factory in the United States, LG Energy Solution and GM have a joint venture called Ultium Cells that has factories in Ohio, Tennessee, and Michigan says Car and Driver, and Panasonic has a partnership with Tesla to produce batteries at the Gigafactory in Nevada.
What is the most promising new battery technology?
This is a very good question, but sadly, there is no definitive answer as to what is the most promising new battery technology.
The reason for this is that different electric vehicle battery technologies have different advantages and disadvantages. However, some of the new battery technologies that have attracted a lot of attention and investment are:
Solid-state batteries: These batteries replace the liquid electrolyte in conventional lithium-ion batteries with a solid material, such as ceramics or polymers. This could improve the energy density, safety, and charging speed of the batteries, as well as reduce the need for expensive and scarce materials like cobalt, says Technology Review.
However, there are still technical challenges to overcome, such as preventing the formation of dendrites (needle-like structures that can short-circuit the battery) and scaling up the production, according to The Harvard Gazette.
Lithium-sulfur batteries: These batteries use sulfur as the cathode material instead of metal oxides, which could lower the cost and increase the energy density of the batteries. Sulfur is also abundant and environmentally friendly.
Lithium-air batteries: These batteries use oxygen from the air as the cathode material, which could theoretically offer the highest energy density among all battery types.
There are also other technologies that aim to improve or replace existing lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium-metal batteries, lithium-silicon batteries, sodium-ion batteries, zinc-air batteries lithium ion cells, flow batteries, and more, according to USA.Inquirer.Net.
Each technology has its own merits and challenges, and it is hard to predict which one will emerge as the winner in the long run. The best way to find out is to keep an eye on the latest developments and breakthroughs in this exciting field.
How long do car batteries last?
The lifespan of a car battery depends on several factors, such as the type of battery, the usage pattern, the charging system, and the temperature conditions. However, a general rule of thumb is that a car battery lasts between three and five years, says Halfords. After that, the battery of battery electric vehicles may start to lose its capacity and performance and may need to be replaced.
Some of the factors that can shorten or extend a car battery lifespan are:
Type of battery: There are different types of car batteries, such as wet cell, sealed, enhanced flooded, and absorbent glass mat. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, durability, maintenance, and performance. Generally, sealed and advanced batteries tend to last longer than wet cell batteries, but they may also be more expensive, according to Halfords.
Usage pattern: How often and how far you drive your car can affect your battery life. If you only drive short distances or leave your car parked for long periods of time, your battery may not get fully charged and may suffer from sulfation (a buildup of lead sulfate crystals that reduces the battery’s ability to hold a charge). On the other hand, if you drive long distances or use a lot of accessories that drain your battery, such as lights, radio, or air conditioning, your battery may get overworked and wear out faster.
Charging system: Your car’s alternator is responsible for keeping your battery charged while the engine is running. If your alternator is faulty or not properly adjusted, it may undercharge or overcharge your battery, which can damage it over time. You should check your alternator regularly and make sure it delivers the right voltage and current to your battery, says Forbes.
Who are the world’s biggest battery manufacturers?
The world’s biggest battery manufacturers are mostly based in Asia, especially China, South Korea, and Japan. They produce lithium-ion batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as other applications such as consumer electronics, energy storage systems, and industrial equipment.
Here are the top 3 battery manufacturers in the world by market share or production capacity for last year are:
Catl
This is the largest battery manufacturer for electric and hybrid vehicles in the world, with a market share of about 25% to 34% and a production capacity of 96.7 GWh to 134 GWh, depending on the source. The Chinese company supplies batteries to major car makers such as Tesla, Peugeot, Hyundai, Honda, BMW, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo, according to History Computer.
LG Energy Solution:
This is the second-largest battery manufacturer for electric and hybrid vehicles in the world, with a global electric vehicle market share of about 14% to 20% and a production capacity of 24 GWh to 41 GWh, depending on the source, according to Finance Yahoo. The South Korean company supplies batteries to car makers such as GM, Ford, Renault, Volvo, Audi, and Tesla, says Visual Capitalist.
BYD
This is the third-largest battery manufacturer for electric and hybrid vehicles in the world, with a market share of about 12% to 13% and a production capacity of 24 GWh to 28 GWh, depending on the source. The Chinese company is also a major car maker itself, as well as a supplier of batteries to other car makers such as Toyota.
These are just some examples of the world’s biggest battery manufacturers. There are also other companies that produce batteries for different applications or markets. Battery-powered vehicles are the next big thing here in the UK, so EV battery manufacturing is huge and to add another new EV leading battery supplier to the market is amazing!
