Do We Really Need a 500 Mile Battery?

[larry4pyro]

Recently there has been news releases of a new technology that promises a 500 mile battery. Nikki Gordon-BloomField writes this piece questioning the logic of such a batter. She say it may make more sense to go with a smaller battery that better meets people's driving habits. In addition, smaller makes the car lighter and therefore more efficient, and less expensive. What do you think?

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...-car-batteries

For me, I think another important question is how to recharge such a battery. It's going to require a lot of electrons, and to recharge in a reasonable time will require massive recharging capabilities. In this regard I believe the Volt's extended range concept make more sense. That is, majority of driving on electricity, and the occasional long trip using gas, but still retain the premium feel of an electric drive via a serial hybrid drivetrain. This is the future, it will give the ordinary person the mobility they require while reducing oil consumption and improve the environment without requiring major infrastructure outlays.

[Duncan]

I agree with you, but a battery like that could still be good for the Volt as you could have a much smaller battery for the same or slightly higher mileage. That would allow a fifth seat, maybe more cargo space, and a lighter more efficient car. I think that would be more significant than just extending the range of pure EV's.

[tangentlin]

Until the charging infrastructure puts charge stations as prevalent as gas stations around, a bigger battery would be necessary. After all, the battery also allows great V2G (Vehicle to Grid) potential, the energy store is not wasted.

[Zythryn]

Don't fall into the 'one size fits all trap'.
What I find so encouraging about this round of EVs and PHEVs is that many manufacturers are taking different strategies. Each will best fit a different part of the auto market.

For some, a 40 mile range extended range works best, for some a cheaper 75 mile EV but cheaper EV works best, for others a 200 mile range but more expensive EV works better.

A 500 mile battery will have a place in there too. I don't suspect many will find it the best fit, but some will.
Choice is a wonderful thing

[MTN Ranger]

I would like to see a compromise in size (when the technology reaches that point). Allow a battery with the capacity for 150 miles but save weight and increase efficiency. I could deal with smaller range if the charging can be reduced to 30 minutes or less with high amps. I like Tesla's model with 160, 240 and 300 mile capacity options.

[jsmay311]

I agree with you, but a battery like that could still be good for the Volt as you could have a much smaller battery for the same or slightly higher mileage. That would allow a fifth seat, maybe more cargo space, and a lighter more efficient car. I think that would be more significant than just extending the range of pure EV's.

Exactly. Any battery improvement is a good improvement.

If it means giving an EREV more range, or making it lighter, or making it cheaper, or giving it more cabin space... these would all be very welcome improvements.

But I think the bigger gains would likely be seen in pure battery EV's, by increasing range and decreasing costs. Pure BEV's offer a ton of benefits in packaging when you don't need room for an engine, fuel tank, exhaust/emissions components, etc. but current BEV's have too limited a range (e.g. Leaf or Focus EV at 70-80 miles) or are too expensive (300 mile range Model S is ~$80,000).

If improved battery technology allowed you to build a car like the like the Leaf with 300+ mile range for <$35,000 or a 300+ mile Model S for <$50,000, then it would be much easier for those cars to go mainstream. Until those battery breakthroughs happen, I think the Voltec/EREV model will make the most sense to most of the car-buying public.

[gmacecsko]

For our purposes if these new technologies could build a 70-80 mile battery that was smaller and lighter . Provided it has similar and shorter charging times. And the extended range of the ICE for longer trips would meet our needs.

[Zod]

There are lots of different needs out there, including someone who could use a "500 mile" battery. Of course, "500 miles" is mostly in reference to a Leaf-like EV. The same battery may allow an SUV to go 200 miles.

And, as many have already noted, it's more about the energy density improvements than how big you make it. The same technology advance will allow for a whole array of difference capacity batteries that are all lighter/smaller than their predecessors.

[ewiggins]

I would like to see it consumer selectable. Unless there is a good EV structure and a way to 'fill up' a 500 mile battery in a matter of minutes, I don't think it would be popular. I don't want to travel on a 400 mile trip to a friends house, then have to plug up at his house to fill up waiting several hours. I would lean more towards a more efficient conversion of gasoline to electricity or some other cleaner fuel to electricity, while doubling the battery range of Volt.

[cnicholson]

Although a 500 mile battery would be nice, I completely agree that it is overkill for 90% of potential buyers. It would be silly to offer a car with that as the only battery option. I think the Leaf is already in the right range for a single-option offering. I think the right approach is to over-size the main drive motor and sell bigger batteries that offer a combination of better performance OR longer range (depending on driving style). This value proposition better matches the way people historically value cars (V-8 costs more than V-6; everyone gets that). I think few people would be willing to pay for the incremental cost of range alone.