Chinese scientists develop EV battery that could double range

Next-generation electric vehicle batteries might be familiar in form. 

That's because Chinese researchers from Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology and Nankai University are working on an improved liquid electrolyte that could double EV range. 

Solid-state batteries with a firm middle material are often touted as the future, but improved liquids could lift the ceiling on lithium batteries' potential, according to research published in the journal Nature. 

Xinhua News added that the improvements are set to deliver more than 620 miles on a charge. The research has been making headlines in publications across the country. 

"Our batteries have more than twice the energy density of ordinary batteries," lead researcher Chen Jun, from Nankai, told the South China Morning Post. 

That's more than enough peace of mind for drivers who are wary of switching to an EV because of range anxiety. However, many EVs already deliver comfortable 300-mile-plus abilities. 

The research update comes as gas prices in the United States continue to climb, nearing a $4 per-gallon average in late March, according to Forbes. It's widely reported that the United States' and Israel's attack on Iran and the subsequent fallout associated with oil supply chain constraints have caused prices to surge. 

EVs make gas prices irrelevant for travel ability, and the Chinese team said its improved electrolyte can help lithium batteries store more power per pound. 

When batteries operate, ions move between two electrodes — through the electrolyte — as part of the charge/discharge cycle.

For their part, solid-state batteries are being heavily invested in around the world, including at Porsche. Top Speed reported that the nonflammable middle is safer, lighter, and better-performing than standard lithium-ion tech. But solids are expensive to make. 

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To improve liquid electrolytes, the experts from China addressed viscosity with a hydrofluorocarbon-based electrolyte, instead of an oxygen or nitrogen one. This reduced viscosity and boosted ion conductivity, improving energy storage and cold-weather operation. 

Inside the electrolyte, fluorine-based ligands — or ions — bind to a central atom, forming groups. During tests, fluorine bested common counterparts, lowering viscosity and improving performance even during temperatures as low as minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the study. 

"Remarkably, these batteries continue functioning normally even in extreme conditions," SAST researcher Li Yong said, per Xinhua. 

Chinese EV and battery tech have mostly been absent in America due to decades-long trade policies designed to protect the domestic market from lower-cost imports. Forbes added the absence of established dealership networks as another hurdle. 

While there are plenty of industry and legislative setbacks remaining, news from a meeting between Ford CEO Jim Farley and President Donald Trump indicated that Chinese brands could be invited stateside as part of specially regulated deals that include benefits for the U.S. — including American production sites, according to multiple reports.  

EVs provide owners with up to $1,500 a year in gas and service savings, along with quieter travel with no harmful tailpipe gases. Certain states also offer perks to help reduce the cost of buying and charging them. 

Home solar can add to those savings by delivering electricity produced by the sun to power your EV, reducing the need to use expensive grid-provided energy. TCD's Solar Explorer offers access to experts and advice that can help you find the right array for your home at the best price. 

In the meantime, fluorine tinkering in China may unlock even better performance, even in extreme conditions.

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