North Carolina Firm Develops Longer Range Batteries

Jonny Lieberman
by Jonny Lieberman
north carolina firm develops longer range batteries

The new Lithium-Ion Polymer batteries are from Superlattice Power. Supposedly, they will "significantly increase operating voltage range and energy density." Translation: instead of going 120 to 140 miles between charges, electric vehicles will be able to go 200 miles on a single charge. [Ed: just like the Tesla Roadster!] Not only that, but unlike current lithium-ion batteries, the Superlattice variety will be non-toxic and disposable. How'd they do it? According to Motor Authority, a new material gives the new batteries a "wider volt range." We're not entirely sure what that means, but… sounds good! Which brings us to the hard questions. Like, is this the battery breakthrough [s]we've all[/s] some of us have been waiting for? Probably not yet, as new technology is rarely cheap. Still, if you're going to spend $40K on a Volt, why not $50K? Oh yeah…

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  • Blowfish Blowfish on Jun 03, 2008

    A very big obstacle somehow wasnt easy to win is General Wnter neither Napoleon nor Fuhrer has it figured out. When it drops to -40 everything drops to a grinding halt. A gas or diesel engine could use some external boosting or cold start ether or Tiger torch ( a high temp propane torch to heat up the oel belly). How far can an electric car gimp to is a great unknown. I do hope these new type of Veggie battery can lead us out of the Red sea like Moses did. Or SLick Rick out of the Sea of Red Ink.

  • Steven Lang Steven Lang on Jun 03, 2008

    Yep, the heart of the RTP. No surprise there. The Research Triangle is rapidly replacing Silicon Valley as the hotbed for start-up's and technology related research. Reasonable housing prices, plenty of top universities, and exceptional quality of life. This area of the world will remain healthy for a long time to come.

  • Joeaverage Joeaverage on Jun 03, 2008

    http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/19/stanfords-nanowire-battery-leapfrogs-li-ion/ Lots of research going on. I've long said all we need is a few popular EVs on the market and battery tech will advance quickly.

  • Robert Schwartz Robert Schwartz on Jun 03, 2008

    It is not enough. I figure that the needed improvement is more like 10x than 2x.

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