Fisker patents radical 'solid state battery' it claims can power a car for 500 miles and recharge in a MINUTE
- The new battery uses a three-dimensional structure to increase surface area
- Fisker says it could allow for 500 mile range, and charging in just one minute
- The technology will be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Jan
Electric car-maker Fisker has filed patents for flexible solid-state battery technology that could slash charging times and improve range.
In an announcement this week, the firm claimed the new battery could charge a car in just one minute, and allow for a range of over 500 miles.
The battery is expected to be ready for mass production by 2023, and will be displayed at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in January.
The new technology attempts to overcome the challenges of solid-state batteries using a three-dimensional structure. In an announcement this week, the firm claimed the new battery could charge a car in just one minute, and allow for a range of over 500 miles
Solid-state batteries are known to have a number of limitations, such as low power and low rate capability as a result of the layered electrode structure, and issues arising from cold temperatures, the firm explains.
But, the new technology attempts to overcome the challenges using a three-dimensional solid-state structure.
This allows the electrodes to cover 25 times more surface area than flat thin-film designs.
'This breakthrough marks the beginning of a new era in solid-state materials and manufacturing technologies,' said Dr. Fabio Albano, VP of battery systems at Fisker Inc.
'We are addressing all of the hurdles that solid-state batteries have encountered on the path to commercialization, such as performance in cold temperatures; the use of low cost and scalable manufacturing methods; and the ability to form bulk solid-state electrodes with significant thickness and high active material loadings.
'We are excited to build on this foundation and move the needle in energy storage.'
According to the firm, the battery could allow electric cars to drive more than 500 miles on a single charge.
Fisker plans to show off the solid-state battery and fast-charging technology at CES.
They'll also be launching the Fisker EMotion luxury electric vehicle, alongside a battery module equipped with advanced thermal management.
Electric car-maker Fisker has filed patents for flexible solid-state battery technology that could slash charging times and improve range
And, they'll have on display fast-charging technology that will allow for a 127-mile range in just nine minutes.
'Our aggressive vision for the entire EV and automotive industry, not just for Fisker Inc., revolves around making the impossible, possible – and this global solid-state battery breakthrough is reflective of our utmost seriousness in making that vision a reality,' said Henrik Fisker, chairman and CEO of Fisker Inc.
'It used to be about the efficiency of the gasoline engine. Now, it's all about who breaks the code and smashes the barriers to future battery technologies that will enable mass market electrification.
'Our scientists have been working tirelessly to deliver. We've done it, and this is just the beginning.'
The battery is expected to be ready for mass production by 2023, and will be displayed at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in January
The fastest production car ever and it's electric! Elon Musk reveals new $200,000 Tesla roadster that does 0-60 in 1.9 seconds can hit 250mph and go 650 miles on a single charge
- Shiny Roadster emerged from trailer of the company's other big reveal - electric truck named the Tesla Semi
- The $200,000 sports car - an update on its first ever vehicle - seats four and travels 620 miles on one charge
- Also features removable glass roof, can go from 0 to 60mph in 1.9 seconds and has a top speed over 250mph
Tesla has unveiled the fastest production car ever made, with chief executive Elon Musk bragging that he wants to 'give a hardcore smackdown' to gasoline vehicles.
A shiny red Roadster surprised everyone when it emerged from the trailer of the company's other big reveal - an electric truck named the Tesla Semi - during a presentation at an airport in Los Angeles.
The $200,000 (£151,000) sports car - an updated version of Tesla's first production vehicle - can seat four and travel 620 miles (1000 km) on a single charge, a new record for an electric vehicle.
The car - which also features a removable glass roof - can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour (0 to 100 km/h) in 1.9 seconds and has a top speed over 250mph (400 kph).
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Tesla has unveiled the fastest electric production car ever made, with chief executive Elon Musk bragging that he wants to 'give a hardcore smackdown' to gasoline vehicles. Pictured is the new Roadster, set for release in 2020
Tesla has unveiled the world's fastest electric car. The $200,000 (£151,000) sports car - an updated version of Tesla's first production vehicle - can seat four and travel 620 miles (1000 km) on a single charge, a new record for an electric vehicle
The car - which also features a removable glass roof - can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 1.9 seconds. It travels 0 to 100 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds
This would make it the quickest electric car ever sold to the public, beating the Chinese-made NIO EP9 all-electric hypercar, which has a top speed of 194 mph (310 kph).
It also makes the vehicle the fastest production car ever, with a 0 to 60 miles per hour acceleration quicker than any non-electric vehicles, including the record-breaking Bugatti Chiron, released this year.
The Chiron manages the distance in 2.3 seconds, 0.4 seconds slower than the Roadster, largely because combustion engines cannot produce immediate torque, while electric engines can.The vehicle has three motors, one in the front and two in the rear, all-wheel drive and torque steering.
The showmanship wowed the crowd although some analysts´ heads started throbbing at the variety of new projects launched as the company is struggling to produce the more affordable sedan upon which its future depends.
'You´ll be able to travel from LA to San Francisco, and back, at highway speed without recharging,' Musk said.
'The point of doing this is to just give a hardcore smackdown to gasoline cars.
A shiny red Roadster emerged yesterday from the trailer of the company's other big reveal - an electric truck named the Tesla Semi - during a presentation at an airport in Los Angeles. Tesla's first Roadster was released in 2008, but the firm stopped production in 2011 thanks to low demand
The first 1,000 of the new Roadsters will cost $250,000 (£190,000) each, paid in full up front, with later models starting at $200,000 (£150,000). It will be available to buy in 2020
Chief Executive Elon Musk (pictured on stage) unveiled the big rig, dubbed the Tesla Semi, by riding the truck into an airport hangar near Los Angeles in front of an invited crowd of what Tesla said were potential truck buyers and Tesla car owners
TESLA ROADSTER VS THE NIO EP9 HYPERCAR
With a top speed of over 250 mph (400 kph), Tesla's new Roadster will challenge the Chinese NIO EP9 all-electric hypercar for the spot of fastest electric car in the world.
The $1.5 million (£1.2 million) hypercar, built by a small electric car start-up based in Shanghai, can hit speeds of 194 mph (310 kph) and goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour (0 to 100 km/h) in 2.7 seconds.
Tesla's Roadster, which has three electric engines to the EP9's four, will go from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 1.9 seconds.
The two-seat EP9 can be recharged from flat in as little as 45 minutes, and offers a range of more than 265 miles (425 km).
By comparison, Tesla's Roadster will cost $200,000 (£151,000), can seat four and will travel 620 miles (1000 km) on a single charge.
The EP9 is designed for track racing, and so far maker NIO has only put it through a small production run, with six early investors receiving a vehicle this year.
The firm has confirmed it will produce a further 10 cars for the general public at a later date.
With a top speed of over 250 mph (400 kph), Tesla's new Roadster will challenge the Chinese NIO EP9 all-electric hypercar (pictured) for the spot of fastest electric car in the world
The vehicle has three motors, one in the front and two in the rear, all-wheel drive and torque steering. Musk said of the Roadster, pictured above in gray: 'The point of doing this is to just give a hardcore smackdown to gasoline cars'
The showmanship wowed the crowd although some analysts´ heads started throbbing at the variety of new projects launched as the company is struggling to produce the more affordable sedan upon which its future depends
'Driving a gasoline sports car is going to feel like a steam engine with a side of quiche.'
The first 1,000 cars will cost $250,000 (£190,000) each, paid in full up front, with later models starting at $200,000 (£150,000).
It will be available to buy in 2020.
Powering the car is a 200 kilowatt hour battery pack.
The Roadster's maximum speed is over 250 mph. This would not only make it the quickest electric car ever made, but also the fastest car in general production
Powering the car is a 200 kilowatt hour battery pack. Pictured: The futuristic steering wheel for the vehicle. Musk claims drivers will be able to drive from LA to San Francisco, and back, at highway speed without recharging
The company is currently spending about $1 billion (£0.76 billion) per quarter, largely to set up the Model 3 factory, and is contemplating a factory in China to build cars
The Tesla Semi truck, however, attracted the most attention last night.
Musk has described electric trucks as Tesla's next effort to move the economy away from fossil fuels through projects including electric cars, solar roofs and power storage.
But some analysts fear the truck will be an expensive distraction for Tesla, which is burning cash, has never posted an annual profit, and is in self-described 'manufacturing hell' starting up production of the $35,000 (£26,000) Model 3 sedan.
'Elon´s showmanship remains intact, even as his customers' patience for Model 3 delivery wanes,' Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, said by email.
Musk took to the stage to introduce the highly-anticipated Tesla Semi on Thursday
Musk took to the stage to introduce the highly-anticipated Tesla Semi on Thursday
'The specs on the new semi truck and sports car would put both vehicles at the top of their segments...assuming they can be produced and sold as part of a sustainable business plan. So far that final element has eluded Tesla Motors, which makes it difficult to see these vehicles as more than 'what if' concept cars,' he added.
Tesla also has to convince the trucking community that it can build an affordable electric big rig with the range and cargo capacity to compete with relatively low-cost, time-tested diesel trucks. The heavy batteries eat into the weight of cargo an electric truck can haul.
The truck can go up to 500 miles at maximum weight at highway speed, Musk said, without giving the size of the payload. Musk said the Class 8 vehicle, the heaviest weight classification for trucks, in 30 minutes can recharge the battery enough to go 400 miles, and that Tesla would build a global, solar-powered network of 'megachargers.'
Diesel trucks are capable of traveling up to 1,000 miles on a single tank of fuel. Musk said diesel trucks were 20 per cent more expensive per mile to operate than his electric truck.
The truck has four motors, one for each rear wheel. Tesla designed the cab with a roomy feel and a center seat for better visibility, executives said
Two touch screens (pictured inside the cab) flank the driver
Self-driving technology would allow the trucks to travel in convoys, where only the front truck would need a driver, making trucks cheaper than rail, Musk added.
That vision, however, faces an uncertain regulatory future, since Congress is considering exempting heavy duty trucks from looser self-driving rules in the works, after truckers lobbied that safety and millions of jobs could be at risk.
The day cab - which is not a sleeper - has a less prominent nose than on a classic truck, and the battery is built into the chassis. Tesla designed the cab for good visibility, with a center seat flanked by two touch screens.
Tesla showed off the semi on a webcast which offered reservations for the truck at $5,000 each, but Musk did not discuss reservation volume.
The unveiling event offered the first look at the radical Tesla Semi big-rig after its launch was delayed amid efforts to assist Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, and Model 3 'production hell'
Old Dominion Freight Line Inc, the fourth-largest U.S. less-than-truckload carrier, which consolidates smaller freight loads onto a single truck, said it was not signing on.
'We met with Tesla and at this time we do not see a fit with their product and our fleet,' Dave Bates, senior vice president of operations, said in an email, without elaborating.
Tesla faces a much more crowded field for electric trucks than it did when it introduced its electric cars.
Manufacturers such as Daimler AG, Navistar International Corp and Volkswagen AG are joining a host of start-ups racing to overcome the challenges of substituting batteries for diesel engines as regulators crack down on carbon dioxide and soot pollution.
Still, manufacturers are mostly focused on medium-duty trucks, not the heavy big rig market Tesla is after.
Tesla would need to invest substantially to create a factory for those trucks.
The company is currently spending about $1 billion per quarter, largely to set up the Model 3 factory, and is contemplating a factory in China to build cars.
Charging and maintaining electric trucks that crisscross the country could be expensive and complex.
Shares of Tesla have risen 46 percent this year to make the company the No. 2 U.S. automaker by market value.
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