A new study has found that fast charging and discharging of lithium-ion batteries may not be as damaging as most researchers believe. The results of the study, Current-induced Transition from Particle-by-particle to Concurrent Intercalation in Phase-separating Battery Electrodes, published in Nature Materials, challenge the conventional wisdom that fast charging necessarily shortens battery life. The authors… Read more »
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DOE seeks input on fuel cell range extenders for BEVs
The DOE has issued a Request for Information to solicit feedback about the feasibility of fuel cell range extenders for battery-electric vehicles. The DOE’s office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) is specifically interested in the idea of an after-market modification to extend vehicle range using a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell system…. Read more »
DOE-supported research projects seek to commercialize silicon-based anodes
The DOE is supporting six applied battery research projects, with the objective of developing cells that provide energy density of more than 200 Wh/kg, along with long cycle life and excellent abuse tolerance. All six projects are using some form of silicon-based material for the anode. A team led by the Argonne National Laboratory is… Read more »
Does Tesla plan to share its battery technology with other automakers?
Admirers of Elon Musk know that he isn’t in the game for money or personal glory – he wants to see EVs displace dinosaur-burners, whether Tesla is the one building them or not. Speaking at the company’s first-quarter shareholders’ meeting, Musk expressed frustration with the other automakers for moving so slowly, and hinted that he’s… Read more »
Alcoa applies for DOE loan to expand aluminum plant
The DOE has proposed lending money to aluminum giant Alcoa to increase production at a Tennessee factory, the first loan to a supplier under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, which was created by Congress in 2007 but hasn’t approved a loan since 2011. Alcoa spokeswoman Lori Lecker told Automotive News the company has applied… Read more »
DOE to award up to $10 million for Zero Emission Cargo Transport projects
The DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has issued a funding opportunity announcement (DE-FOA-0001106) to award up to $10 million for projects to accelerate electrification of the cargo transport sector, a worthy mission that has been dubbed Zero Emission Cargo Transport (ZECT). ZECT technologies are defined as those that produce zero emissions from a cargo-carrying… Read more »
$16 billion in DOE loans still available for auto suppliers
The DOE is encouraging auto suppliers to step forward for a share of $16 billion in low-interest financing that’s still available under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program. Congress created the ATVM program in 2007, and it famously lent about $8.4 billion to Ford, Nissan, Tesla and Fisker. Although the program hasn’t approved… Read more »
VW: e-Golf battery pack doesn’t need a liquid cooling system
Does an EV battery pack need a liquid cooling system? Automakers have different opinions. The Tesla Roadster and Model S have ‘em, the Nissan LEAF does not. Volkswagen initially designed its e-Golf with a liquid-cooled battery, but the production e-Golf, which is now on sale in Germany, and will arrive in selected US markets during… Read more »
DOE awards $17 million to small businesses for renewable energy and electromobility projects
The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has awarded $17 million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) projects to help small businesses develop prototype technologies in a wide range of renewable energy and transportation-related fields. These awards are for Phase II SBIR projects to further develop Phase I projects and produce a… Read more »
DOE offers funding for projects that increase deployment of alternative-fuel vehicles
The DOE intends to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (DE-FOA-0001097) entitled “Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Deployment Initiatives.” The estimated $4.5 million in funding will go to projects that increase the acceptance and deployment of alternative-fuel vehicles (including EVs). Areas of interest include: Vehicle demonstration and enhanced driver experience projects. The intent of this area… Read more »