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Battery company Sila Nanotechnology claims a 20% increase in EV range, as well as fast charging, with its nano-composite silicon-anode battery technology, branded Titan Silicon.
The company backs up this claim in a recent press release saying it “has the development runway to double those gains in future releases.” Silla also says that silicon anodes can allow 10-80% charge in 20 minutes, which he plans to reduce to 10 minutes.
The Mercedes-Benz EQG concept
These benefits can be achieved with comparable safety margins and life cycles to existing graphite anodes, Silla says, reducing battery weight by up to 15% and increasing space by up to 20%. It can also maintain compatibility with current battery cell form factors and manufacturing facilities.
The first automotive application for Sila battery technology could be the Mercedes-Benz EQG, an off-road electric version of the G-Class. Mercedes certified the technology to EQG last May with cells from a factory in Washington state using 100% renewable energy. EQG expires in 2024, but Silla-derived cells are slated for long-range use within a decade.
The Mercedes-Benz EQG concept
Silla’s closest rival in the race to market silicon-anode battery cells is Group 14 Technologies, another US company that sees the technology as a way to charge faster and thus potentially a solution to heavy and expensive battery packs. If EVs can charge more quickly, range won’t be as important as gasoline cars. Easy access to gas stations and the ability to fill up quickly means gas truck drivers don’t have to worry about range.
Silicon anodes are the next big thing as of 2018 – and unlike other battery trends, enthusiasm for them hasn’t slowed down. General Motors is playing on them, hoping that its silicon-anode technology will give developers more efficient batteries.
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