Electric cars could have longer-lasting batteries take no longer to refuel than petrol or diesel vehicles following a breakthrough in liquid-electrolyte technology by German scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT).
Redox batteries generate power using two fluid electrolytes and now boast a capacity approaching that of the lithium-ion technology used in cutting-edge electric vehicles like the Tesla Roadster sports car.
Quickest way of recharging electric cars
It takes up to 8 hours to charge today’s electric cars from a standard household socket, which is bound to seem 7 hours and 57 minutes longer than necessary to motorists used to quickly filing their car from a petrol pump.
Car designers have touted the idea of replaceable battery packs that when depleted could be swapped at refuelling stops, but there is little likelihood that all manufacturers would agree on a standard-size battery.
Filling an electric car from a pump has the advantage of being quick and being no different to the way drivers currently refuel.
Electric car fuel would be recycled
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Crucially, the redox flow batteries can be recharged at a refuelling station in as little time as it takes to fill the tank of a conventional car.”
The discharged electrolyte is pumped out and replaced with recharged fluid. The discarded electrolyte can then be recharged by the refuelling station.
The ETA is Car Breakdown Company of the Year 2009. It is one of the few companies to provide a specialist breakdown and warranty service for electric vehicles Call 0800 212 810 for further details.
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