Battery Tech May Add 200+ Miles to Drive Range

A North Carolina company has announced a development in automotive electric battery technology that, according to its inventors, will "significantly increase operating voltage range and energy density."

With the new technology, electric powered vehicles will be able to travel in excess of 200 miles -- a big leap over current benchmarks in the vicinity of 120-140 miles, Superlattice Power said in a statement Monday.

The development responsible for the improved efficiency lies in a new cathode material that will be used in lithium-ion polymer batteries in automotive applications.

The cathode material is a in the form of a superlattice (shown above), with alternating strands of material to give the battery wider voltage range, the company said, as well as make it non-toxic and disposable.

The technology is still in testing, but early results look promising and could attract automakers...

A range of 200 miles will allow for much longer commutes than General Motors' Chevy Volt, for example, which has a 40-mile range.

Scott Doggett, Contributor

Posted by

Scott Doggett June 3, 2008, 11:09 AM

Permalink

Categories:

Batteries, Chevrolet, General Motors, Hybrid, Plug-ins and Electric