Safer EV batteries?

Fires in EV batteries are very rare. 

Nonetheless China has made fires in batteries illegal by law, meaning EV batteries will be even safer. This increases costs slightly, but probably means the take-up of EVs could be greater.

A really simple way of increasing the range of EVs?

 An Australian company may have the answer to dramatically increasing the range of electric vehicles.

Amazing motor

China has announced a new very lightweight motor that is transformative. 

Combined with electric batteries with far greater range per charge, we can expect EVs to rival cars running on petrol or diesel very soon.

Many will be able to charge at home for far less than a fossil fuelled car. I am not sure what happens if you live in a flat or need to string the charging cable across a pavement.

Donut batteries

Earlier this year, to massive interest, a European company, with great fanfare, announced a new rechargeable battery with some remarkable properties. If true, this promised a real breakthrough which would have a massive impact on electric vehicles, mass storage batteries etc.. 

Although I have only secondhand information, allegedly, it looks like a scam to draw in investors. 

Meanwhile, major battery companies like CATL in China are making huge strides and investing greatly. 

If true, that this was a scam, many will be saddened.

EVs - confused?

To me, it seems inevitable that we will evolve to electric vehicles (EVs) in the coming years. 

There has been a lot in the press about a breakthrough promising huge ranges, lower costs and fast charging times. It would appear that there are many competing approaches and it is far from clear which will emerge as winners. 

There is clearly a wish to move away from rare earth materials, to ensure safety and move away from fossil fuels.

In my view we are not (quite) there yet, but we are now getting very very close to a breakthrough.

EVs with huge range?

Battery technology is improving year on year with CATL, China's biggest battery manufacturer, working towards batteries that would end "range anxiety" for ever.

EV battery technology

It would appear that lithium-ion batteries look optimal for range and weight. The disadvantage is that lithium is a rare earth material with limited supplies.

It looks like sodium-ion batteries might be answer. Sodium is widely available. CATL, the worlds's largest battery manufacturer,  has a huge order for sodium-ion batteries.

Solid state batteries - almost there

In my view these are almost there. 

By next year probably several companies will be launching EVs with huge ranges and fast charging times. Many will charge their car overnight at home when needed.

Electric cars, if low cost and with >700 miles on a single charge, will transform motoring. Fast charging times are a bonus. 

At the moment China is ahead. In my view, the USA is in great danger of missing out on the coming revolution.   In my opinion, we are on the cusp of a revolution as big as the death of CRTs and film cameras.

Sold state batteries could be transformative.

See https://www.autonocion.com/us/solid-state-battery-race-continues/.

Green stripes on the left of UK car registration plates - NOT amateur radio

Apparently the green stripes on the left of UK car registration plates indicate the car produces zero emissions from the exhaust pipe. This can only be achieved with electric vehicles (EVs) I think. Maybe hydrogen vehicles can as well, but these are very rare. 

Until my son came to stay recently, I did not know this. I (wrongly) assumed the green could be on all new cars, but this makes a great deal of sense.

It still seems to me that non emission vehicles have a long way to go. The main issue is improving the range between charges and making batteries from materials that can be made with cheap, easily available  materials. Until these issues are cracked, I cannot see a turning point soon. 

These days CRT TVs and photographic films look ancient. Let's hope this soon happens with non emission vehicles. Surely the age of fossil fuel is drawing to a close. The planet badly needs this. If these breakthroughs occur, there really will be a tipping point. I am surprised it has not happened already.

See https://www.carwow.co.uk/blog/green-number-plates-explained#gref.

Electric car batteries - NOT amateur radio

Steve G1KQH sent me this cartoon yesterday. 

There is a very serious point though. Until EV batteries are made from far more common materials and have a far greater range, I cannot see EVs being a disruptive technology like flat screen TVs or digital cameras. 

This will come with investment and drive. At the current rate, the Chinese will be the first and we will be way behind.  We need this if our children and grandchildren are to have a planet.

In my view, I suspect this will come before 2035 and we will all be amazed that we used fossil fuels at one time.