# Electric Vehicle Batteries: Enhancing Efficiency and Life - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/electric-vehicle-batteries-enhancing-efficiency-and-life/ - Published: 2020-03-11T23:07:00-04:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Breakthrough: Lithium-Ion Batteries Now Last Longer, Charge Faster ### Researchers Crack the Code on Electric Vehicle Batteries Scientists developed a method to double lithium-ion battery lifespan. They also slashed charging times. The breakthrough addresses two major consumer frustrations: short battery life and slow recharging. ### The Problem With Current Batteries [Lithium-ion](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/02/tesla-motors-and-bolivias-lithium-strategy-whats-at-stake/) batteries degrade over time. Charging cycles wear down electrodes. Slow ion movement limits charging speed. Aging phones, dead EVs, and sluggish laptops reveal these flaws. ![Futuristic tesla model 3 with glowing transparent battery charging at a sci fi station set against a sustainable city with solar towers and wind turbines under a golden sunset](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ 291D7F3D-269F-427B-AC71-DE0DC06CBFCB.png?resize=780%2C780&quality=50&ssl=1 "Futuristic Tesla Model 3 with glowing transparent battery charging at a sci-fi station, set against a sustainable city with solar towers and wind turbines under a golden sunset.- The Green Living Guy") Revolutionizing EV Batteries Where Advanced Tech Meets Sustainable Urban Design ### How the Fix Works A team in [Germany](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/02/electric-cars-are-the-key-to-energy-independence/) redesigned battery electrodes. They replaced graphite with porous silicon structures. This change increases energy storage capacity. It also reduces physical stress during charging. Key steps: – Silicon nanowires: Replace graphite anodes. Handle more lithium ions.– 3D conductive scaffold: Prevents electrode cracking. Extends cycle life. – Fast- charge coatings: Boost ion flow. Cut charging time by 50%. ### Triple Benefits: Life, Speed, Cost Tests show the new design most commonly doubles battery lifespan. Phones could last 10 years instead of 5 and electric vehicles (EVs) will gain 500,000-mile lifespans. Charging times drop to 15 minutes for 80% capacity. Costs may also fall too. Silicon is most definitely cheaper than graphite. So scalable manufacturing methods exist. ### Environmental Impact Longer-lasting batteries most commonly do reduce e-waste. That’s especially because the U.S. discards 3 million tons of electronics yearly. If we recycled more, fewer replacements mean less lithium mining. Faster charging supports renewable energy grids. ### Challenges Ahead First of all, silicon expands during charging. So engineers added buffer layers to prevent swelling. Therefore, mass production of batteries requires retrofitting factories. EV makers also need new charging infrastructure for ultra-fast power delivery. ### Industry Reactions to Electric Vehicle Batteries [Tesla and Panasonic](https://greenlivingguy.com/green-living-consulting-services/sponsors/) invested in similar research. Apple also filed patents for silicon-anode tech for their alleged car “in the” works. DOE also pledged $209 million for next-gen battery hubs. ### What’s Next? Prototypes hit labs in 2023. Consumer devices could adopt the tech by 2026. EV adoption may accelerate with cheaper, longer-range batteries. > Congratulations Tesla team on making our 1,000,000th car!! [pic.twitter.com/5M99a9LLQi](https://t.co/5M99a9LLQi) > — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) [March 10, 2020](https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1237204618850992129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) #### 󠀁[https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js](https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js)󠁿 ## Lithium If engineers could increase batteries’ energy storage capacity and also decrease the time needed to charge them. That’s because modern electric vehicle batteries will be more efficient. This electric vehicle battery improvement is just what the University of Limerick (UL) in Ireland is also targeting. Researchers there are working with the elements germanium and silicon. All of these elements they say could double battery life. Moreover, they can go strong after being charged and discharged more than 1,000 times. In conclusion, Paris, [Rome](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/panasonic-jaguar-electric-vehicle-racings-point-scoring-record-continues-in-rome/), Madrid, Athens and [Mexico City](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/02/di-grassi-snatches-win-from-wehrlein-with-frantic-finish-in-mexico-city/) will ban diesel vehicles in 2025. Finally, [Germany](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/09/ciel-terre-in-germany-a-favorable-summer-for-floating-solar/), [India](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/india-demonstrates-leadership-through-leed-for-existing-buildings/), [Ireland](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/08/ireland-is-now-emerging-as-a-significant-location-for-investors-in-the-exciting-and-rapidly-developing-clean-technology-sector/), [Israel](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/israeli-startup-buys-up-bankrupt-electric-car-firm-via-ap-news/), and the Netherlands have announced plans to ban fossil fuel cars starting in 2030. Sources 1. Nature Journal – Silicon Anode Study ([https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-020-0645-2](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-020-0645-2)) 2. DOE – Battery Innovation Hub ([https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/battery-innovation](https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/battery-innovation)) 3. University of Texas Research – Fast-Charge Tech ([https://cockrell.utexas.edu/news/archive/2020-lithium-battery-breakthrough](https://cockrell.utexas.edu/news/archive/2020-lithium-battery-breakthrough)) 4. Apple Insider – Silicon Battery Patents ([https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/03/09/apple-advances-silicon-battery-tech-for-future-devices](https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/03/09/apple-advances-silicon-battery-tech-for-future-devices)) ![Ford mustang mach e 91kwh extended range ck71ono](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image.jpg?resize=420%2C327&quality=52&ssl=1 "Ford Mustang Mach-E 91kWh Extended Range - CK71ONO - The Green Living Guy") #### ![New ford mustang mach e](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2021-Ford-Mach-E.jpg?resize=150%2C150&quality=52&ssl=1 "Ford Went Mustang Mach E! - The Green Living Guy") ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) ## Comments ### By: Mike - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/electric-vehicle-batteries-enhancing-efficiency-and-life/#comment-2648 - Published: 2014-03-04T17:41:36-05:00 Hoping for the success of this research. I remember last year i found a new on internet where A group of Korean scientists developed a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged 120 times faster than conventional lithium ion battery.