Germany bets millions in race for better battery, will likely lose
Nothing would cement electric vehicles into place as the future of transportation like a battery with the energy density to take you 5 times farther than they can today at a low price. To that end the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has just invested $28 million in a consortium led by BASF to produce and commercialize just such a battery. The group of companies, schools and Institutes, which includes notables like Volkswagen and the Fraunhofer Institute Itzehoe and operating under the appelation "HE-Lion", are matching the funds and focusing much of their efforts on improving the cathode of the lithium ion battery. BASF is developing metal oxides (pictured above) for this purpose and plan on developing a product that is safe, affordable and 2 to 5 times as energy-dense as batteries today by 2015.
While this all sounds great, the devil is in the details and in this case, the detail that bedevils is the notion about the abilities of today's batteries. Says the press release from BASF, "Based on existing series production models, in future they should only need to recharge after 200 kilometers (124 miles) instead of 50 km (31 miles) at present." Although no specific existing model is mentioned it would seem as if their starting point is pretty low since many electric vehicles already have a range of a hundred miles. Heck, the Tesla Roadster could be capable of hitting 270 miles under the right conditions. Perhaps they should have stated their energy density target using the more understandable kilowat hour. In any case, we suspect it is far too early to announce any winners in the race for a better battery but if Germany does want to come out on top, they will need to aim a little higher. Press release after the break.
[Source: BASF via Green Car Congress]
PRESS RELEASE
The race is on for new lithium ion batteries
*Battery consortium headed by BASF receives € 21 million sponsorship from German Ministry of Education and Research
*New generations of high-energy batteries for tomorrow's propulsion technology
Financial sponsorship running into millions has opened the way for the development of new generations of high energy batteries for use in plug-in hybrid automobiles and the electric powered vehicles of the future. Under the guidance of BASF Future Business GmbH, eighteen partners from industry and science have combined into the cross-sector consortium "HE-Lion" to develop and bring to market efficient, higher-performing and safer lithium ion batteries over the next four to six years. The German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the HE-Lion project with €21 million as part of the "Lithium Ion Battery LIB 2015" alliance for innovation. The partners in the consortium will be contributing the same amount directly from their own financial resources.
"This alliance is an essential contribution to strengthening Germany as a heartland of innovation. In research, we must make the decisive breakthrough with new battery materials as soon as possible. Only then can we make electromobility affordable and free it from its niche existence," emphasizes Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF and Research Executive Director.
The BMBF initiative LIB 2015 with a total sponsorship volume of €60 million for several consortia aims to bring to market by 2015 higher performing, safer and above all affordable lithium ion batteries for future propulsion systems such as plug-in hybrid automobiles. A plug-in hybrid is a powered vehicle with a hybrid propulsion system with a battery that can also be charged externally from the mains supply. Equipped with an internal combustion engine, electrical drive system and a battery, it can be driven both with gasoline and electricity.
With companies of the chemical industry, battery industry, the automotive and energy sector and numerous partners from universities and institutes, HE-Lion is the largest consortium in LIB 2015. As energy stores of the future, lithium ion batteries are a key technology for a climate friendly energy supply. For BASF, climate protection is a long-term strategic issue to which its commitment in this project is also contributing.
While the existing first and second generation of lithium ion batteries are already being used in laptops, smartphones or cameras, a newer and more stable system has to be developed for the third and fourth generations. Key factors for the success of the new batteries are high safety, high effectiveness and an affordable price. The aim is to achieve two to five times more energy density compared to previous battery systems. This will ensure that plug-in hybrids and electrically powered vehicles can reach acceptable driving ranges. Based on existing series production models, in future they should only need to recharge after 200 kilometers instead of 50 km at present.
This will mean having to improve mainly the cathode of the battery. BASF experts are developing a portfolio of innovative cathode materials, special metal oxides, that are produced by high-temperature synthesis. These activities include the conceptual design of the materials, laboratory synthesis and scale-up, i.e. transfer to the production scale. At present the materials still account for more than 50 percent of the cost of lithium ion batteries.
"With representatives of all technological disciplines, we now have the opportunity to reinvent the battery in the truest sense of the word. With a globally competitive technology, our partners will be positioning themselves as leading worldwide suppliers of materials, components, cells and batteries," says Dr. Thomas Weber, Managing Director of BASF Future Business GmbH. Until the innovative battery can be tested in a VW Golf in a few years from now, however, the inventors will have to carry out more than 10,000 different tests. By today's standards, a lithium ion battery for a Golf would be as expensive as the vehicle itself. Modern production processes are needed to assure high quality and environmentally friendly manufacture and to significantly reduce costs. To achieve these goals, materials research experts are needed as much as system developers.
The industrial consortium covers a broad range of activities extending from material research to system integration. BASF, Freudenberg Vliesstoffe and SGL Carbon are responsible for material manufacture. Prototype development and cell technology are provided by Fraunhofer Institute Itzehoe and the companies Gaia, Leclanché and Bosch. Implementation in the vehicle is being undertaken by Volkswagen, and the EnBW energy company will develop models for integrating the high-energy batteries into a new power supply concept for load balancing. In fundamental research, cooperative projects are ongoing with the universities of Berlin, Bonn, Clausthal, Darmstadt, Giessen, Hannover, Münster, the Paul-Scherrer Institute in Switzerland and the Leibniz Institute of Dresden. The consortium partners see their competitive advantage in the unique constellation of this venture.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
giyad 2:18PM (4/03/2009)
hmmm... I feel like todays electric vehicles can get pretty far on one charge. The problem right now is not the distance it can travel, but the time it takes to re-charge. Until I can charge my car within 5 minutes, I don't see electric cars becoming a standard.
Yes yes I know that quick charge exists and that you can charge your vehicle between 5-15 minutes (15 minutes might be too long), but its not publicly available and will put a lot of strain on the grid (right now)....
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solution 4:47PM (4/03/2009)
We'll run out of oil well before there will be cars and infrastructure for 5 minute recharges. Ask any electrical engineer how difficult it would be switching the entire U.S. vehicle fleet to quick charging. It's foolish to wait for quick charging and not invest into electrics today. The only thing standing in the way of that is cheap energy (fossil fuels). Unfortunately, to get people to switch we will have to run out of oil first. That's the only way at the moment.
giyad 4:59PM (4/03/2009)
we're not running out of oil in my lifetime... thats for sure
you can't tell me its foolish to wait for quick charging... i mean how do you expect me to travel distances? thats the only thing i ever use a car for anyway
i don't own a car, but if i were to buy one, it surely wouldn't be an electric, not today at least
polo 7:05PM (4/03/2009)
giyad, do us a favor and stop trying to predict what the car buying masses will do when you don't even own a car. You look stupid.
"you can't tell me its foolish to wait for quick charging... i mean how do you expect me to travel distances"
When most people travel distances they stop every few hours, usually alot longer than 5 minutes. Restaurants and pit-stops would jump to have quick charging stations if it attracts even a slight percentage of new customers.
Fact is, by the time quick charging stations are standard (a profit-making business model + government subsidies will do that) and gas is $8 a gallon, you'll still be whining about some other reason you won't buy an EV, and it won't make a difference.
Tohe 7:32PM (4/03/2009)
There are numerous approaches that address long distance trips for EVs, a feasible one being baterry swaps. But we have to keep an open mind and a big part of this is braking away from what we see as conventional.
giyad 7:41PM (4/03/2009)
@polo
"When most people travel distances they stop every few hours, usually alot longer than 5 minutes."
Sure, they do, but not 8 hours...
im being realistic man, try it for a change
I said that when they have quick charging stations it would make sense, and I never said I don't like EV's, I'm simply stating a fact that 6-8 hours is too long for a charge unless you don't travel far
whats with people on ABG, someone makes a comment and they are immediately called stupid, grow up
@Tohe
Battery swaps would make sense, although they would have to come up with a smart business model because it won't work if the person owns the battery, unless you mean they buy two batteries? They could develop programs where people lease batteries maybe... cause if you owned a battery you wouldn't swap it for another one, you dont know how much its been used
Chris M 10:40PM (4/03/2009)
Seems to me that if we could get over 240 miles per charge, and recharge in an hour or less, that might just work. After all, that means 2 to 4 hours of driving, then stopping at a diner with a "One Hour Park & Charge" lot, plug in, stretch a bit, use the facilities, grab a snack or lunch, wash up, then be ready to go again. for another couple of hours.
If I was in a really big hurry to go over 450 miles, I'd probably fly.
polo 2:54AM (4/04/2009)
"Sure, they do, but not 8 hours...im being realistic man, try it for a change"
8 hours is for a standard outlet, not a fast charging outlet. Depending on the batteries it could be 5 to 15 minutes. Even Suburu showed an EV that could get a 90% charge in 5 minutes...back in '05... and other automakers are already testing charging stations just as fast in Japan. Try again.
http://www.megawattmotorworks.com/display.asp?dismode=article&artid=246
"I said that when they have quick charging stations it would make sense, and I never said I don't like EV's, I'm simply stating a fact that 6-8 hours is too long for a charge unless you don't travel far"
Even a 220v outlet would take only 4 hours, maybe even sooner to get a near-max charge depending on the battery chemistry. You trolls jump from talking-point to talking-point, but they never seem to mesh with reality.
jharlan 2:20PM (4/03/2009)
The Germans will likely lose? I wouldn't bet against them! To get usable sized cars now with great fuel economy we have to buy German TDIs. It's just this attitude that is getting the US's ass kicked on almost a daily basis in new technologies. This disgusts me! One thing I can guarantee. Advanced E storage is coming soon, and unless EEstor comes through, it looks like we will have to buy it from somebody else! WHO"S RESPONSIBLE!
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gorr 4:29PM (4/03/2009)
These batteries promises and subsidies are just there because they decided to not commercialyse hydrogen cars, trucks, ships, helicopters, agricol machineries, electrical generations, ski doo's, nascar racing, formula one racing, airplanes, fisching boats, water skiing boats, cigarette lighthers, motorcycles, freight trains, passengers trains, self power buildings with heating, cooling, water treatments and ventilation and lighting and mecanised stairs and elevators.
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Fritz 4:45PM (4/03/2009)
The German targets are not wrong for a practical ev. The Tesla costs multiples of what is practical, how many people in your neighborhood drive 100k plus dollar cars, not many
Cost not extreme range is now a higher priority, especially if quick charge capabilities take away some of the issues of range and there are prevalent charge stations
Germany is doing pretty well on efficient transportation right now, we should be doing so well, on batteries will they lead everyone, no reason they should or shouldn't as history says there will be viable efforts from most of the technically proficient countries
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gorr 8:42PM (4/03/2009)
Quote '' especially if quick charge capabilities take away some of the issues of range and there are prevalent charge stations ''
Do you realize what you are writing in this site? There is already tons of gasoline stations fueling cars in 3 minutes and they take huge amounts of space. With gasoline you stop once a week for 3 minutes but with electric you will stop each day or many time a day for half an hour or more, conclusion not enouph space not to mention customers messing with 400 volts of electrical wires and plugs in the rain. It's impossible to build a convenient fast charging station, period. Electric wires would have to be carrefully checked for scratchs, especially if they are installed in gasoline station. Batteries do not work properlly when fast charged and do not top-up and give their charge easilly because of the overheat. I say and i repeat, this gimmick of batteries are the voice of big-oil and barack, bush goverment.
solution 8:58PM (4/03/2009)
@ gorr
Forgetting overnight home charging? are we?
Don't be pushing paranoia about high voltage dangers in the rain, the system will be 100% safe, otherwise it will not pass code. There are ways to make 400V charging cable so safe, that you can stand barefoot in pouring rain holding on to it and not feel a tingle (I am electrical engineer, I know better than you). Gorr, you are clearly biased against electrics at any cost, you are either have great financial stake (stocks?) in oil or work for oil. Please just go away.
Chris M 11:07PM (4/03/2009)
Gorr, at gas stations, we have to keep an eye on the filling, just in case the nozzle comes loose or it overflows. Not so with recharging, we just plug it in and walk away, electricity won't spill or overflow. Also, gas stations have to have very big tanks installed to store the fuel, not so with charging outlets.
Charging outlets could be put in any parking lot that has electrical power nearby, and we've already got plenty of parking lots around restaurants, stores, shopping malls, offices, schools, medical clinics, etc. No extra space needed, we don't need to build special "charging stations", nor will we have to go out of our way to recharge, we'll be able to do it where we normally go anytime.
Of course, the most convenient charging place for most folks will be right at home, done quietly while they sleep.
Evie Futura 1:10AM (4/04/2009)
Gorr was whipped and abused as young child and he decided to take it out on the ev community, There are just plenty of electric vehicles with no problems, how about electric bikes in Europe, or golf carts in the US, or whatever. Gor just doesn't want to live in a world with more than one choice in possiblities. Sorry Gor, there is a big world out there and lots of things are possible. If you think the current state is the nirvanna of civilization you must live in a shoe box. Wake up gore and realize the winds are a changin'
polo 3:06AM (4/04/2009)
"Do you realize what you are writing in this site? There is already tons of gasoline stations fueling cars in 3 minutes and they take huge amounts of space. With gasoline you stop once a week for 3 minutes but with electric you will stop each day or many time a day for half an hour or more, conclusion not enouph space not to mention customers messing with 400 volts of electrical wires and plugs in the rain."
A typical car has a range of what? 300-400 miles? Even with an EV that gets only 150 you'd only have to stop twice a week at a fast charging station for 5minutes, or just plug in at night and not even worry about it. You seem to be soo afraid of people messing with 400volt wires but forgetting about leaky pumping hoses with flammable liquid. You don't see people blowing themselves up at the gas station so what makes you think they're going to start sticking hair pins in their car sockets?
"Batteries do not work properlly when fast charged and do not top-up and give their charge easilly because of the overheat. I say and i repeat, this gimmick of batteries are the voice of big-oil and barack, bush goverment."
We all know you are a little "special" but now you just sound ignorant. EV batteries are usually not topped up to 100% because that wears the battery out. They are quite adaptable at fast charging up the near-max, and are much more durable with that kinda of usage. Why don't you research what the japanese automakers have been doing with their utility partnerships to specifically test fast charging stations, instead of ranting about mystical hydrogen cars that are a half-century away from being remotely practical.
gorr 11:08AM (4/04/2009)
Well first and officially: I don't oppose battery cars as long as it don't come from subsidies. You can build, conceive it distribute it and consume it and drive it and charge it, etc, as long as i don't pay im not opposing. The same is true with any other technologies.
The same is true for me for hydrogen or other technologies, as long as it is the private sector providing the cars, then it's an open market. It's the subsidies that is killing the car market. And big oil received more subsidies then any other compagnies i know of as long as banks. So power the cars with water... is that clear?
You have to understand that petrol is mud and that your electricity is coming from mud too( natural gas, coal, nuclear) and that is ending in the biosphere.
Just water is a clean fuel because it don't change his way. It begin as water and after been trick for seconds it return to the same exact state.
solution 11:28AM (4/04/2009)
@ gorr
Water is not a source of energy. Water is an end result of a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. When hydrogen burns, it releases heat which is energy and then turns into water. CARS DO NOT RUN ON WATER !!! Water must be split back into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, so hydrogen can be burned again. It takes FOUR TIMES more electricity to run one mile using this process in a Fuel Cell car, instead of just charging a battery and driving one mile in pure EV.
Evie Futura 4:50PM (4/03/2009)
We don't need impractical 100k autos, so what if the Tesla gets 300 miles in range, if the battery pack costs 25k
I would say Germany is doing pretty well on efficient transportation, no country will "win" this game, history says the more likely outcome is all the proficient countries will have credible capabilities and there will not be one country that stays wildly ahead on battery tech
The key is cost per kilowatt hour, and supportability
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polo 6:57PM (4/03/2009)
giyad, do us a favor and stop trying to predict what the car buying masses will do when you don't even own a car. You look stupid.
"you can't tell me its foolish to wait for quick charging... i mean how do you expect me to travel distances"
When most people travel distances they stop every few hours, usually alot longer than 5 minutes. Restaurants and pit-stops would jump to have quick charging stations if it attracts even a slight percentage of new customers.
Fact is, by the time quick charging stations are standard (a profit-making business model + government subsidies will do that) and gas is $8 a gallon, you'll still be whining about some other reason you won't buy an EV, and it won't make a difference.
Reply