A German company has developed an innovative battery coating that can withstand extreme heat, potentially solving one of the major safety concerns for electric vehicle drivers.
The issue Axalta's creation solves is called thermal runaway. According to Interesting Engineering, it's a rare but serious event where a single battery cell overheats, triggering a chain reaction that can lead to a fire.
While statistics show that electric cars are far less likely to catch fire than gas-powered ones, scary stories can stick in people's minds.
"High-profile incidents and misinformation continue to impact public perception," Dr. Robert Roop, an executive at the company Axalta, told the publication.
Axalta's solution is a pair of new coatings that act like a super-powered fire blanket for batteries. One of the coatings, Alesta e-PRO FG Black, is designed for extreme heat protection and can withstand direct flames at temperatures up to an incredible 2,192 degrees Fahrenheit without producing any smoke.
This helps to delay or even prevent a fire from spreading, giving passengers crucial time to get to safety.
"The new coatings reflect our commitment to innovation and to partnering with customers to meet the challenges of next-generation mobility," Dr. Roop said.
This breakthrough is part of a huge wave of innovation happening in the EV battery world. For instance, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are exploring ways to recycle and repair old batteries instead of just melting them down.
In Africa, a new project is developing sodium-ion batteries to create a local supply chain that doesn't rely on lithium. Meanwhile, another team in Germany has developed a new laser welding technique to build stronger, crack-resistant battery housings.
Of course, switching to an EV already saves drivers a lot of money on gas and maintenance. Those savings get even bigger when you can charge up at home using energy generated via solar panels.
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As for EV batteries, all of these improvements work together to make EVs safer, more reliable, and more accessible for everyone.
When people feel confident in the technology, more drivers will be willing to make the switch from polluting gas-powered cars. That means cleaner air in our communities, which is a huge win for public health.
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