A so-called flow battery can promise a range of 2,000 kilometers. On the other hand, it must be refueled in the style of diesel and petrol cars.
Flow batteries, which use an electrolyte solution in the tank, can be a potential solution to several of the challenges that currently stand in the way of the electric car.
The battery, developed by the Swiss company nanoFlowcell, is capable of achieving up to 2,000 kilometers of range on a single refueling with electrolytes.
The Swiss showed off the technology for the first time in October 2021. The range must then also be seen in relation to the development of the current lithium-ion batteries, which today dominate the market. But where even the best of the breed struggle to crawl over an official range of 700 kilometers.
One of the main disadvantages of the current lithium-ion batteries is their production process, which requires large quantities of raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel.
The extraction of the materials is often associated with a negative environmental impact. In addition, both the media and NGOs report problems with the ethics and human rights of the people who are put to extract the materials.
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Flow batteries differ in that they use liquid electrolytes which are stored in separate tanks. Something that makes it possible to refuel the electric car in a way that resembles the refueling of a conventional diesel/petrol car.
This is written by Nu.se.
NanoFlowcell's solution uses a special electrolyte called bi-ION. According to the company, it provides a battery pack with an energy density five times higher than that found in even the best lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, the only residual product is water vapour.
Although the technology behind flow batteries seems promising, especially in terms of range and environmental impact, uncertainty remains as to whether it will gain widespread acceptance in the electric car market.
The technology is still in a very early stage of development, and there are many technical and economic aspects that can put a damper on competitiveness. It is also not certain that it is economically sustainable to 'refuel' electric cars in this way
However, the application possibilities of flow batteries are not limited to electric cars. The technology can also be used in drones, watches and energy storage systems for households. Something that can make more industries throw money into development. So maybe.
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