in Lightweight

A single charge on an electric car manage to travel 1,770 kilometers, where as Tesla Model S can only travel up to 482 kilometers

Aluminium-air battery is lighter than lithium-ion battery, and that is the reason the car can travel fursther. This technology is created by an Israeli company, partnered with aluminium specialist Alocoa Canada. They make this technology afordable by manufacturing in Canada, where hydro-electricity is common. This technology is use to assist the lithium battery, which is tested in Citroen C1 powered by lithium battery that can only travel few dozen miles (Anthony, 2013).

What is it made of?

This technology is made with aluminium plates.

How it works?

Credit: Extreme Tech

This technology uses oxygen, which is part of the air, to fill its cathode. It turn the metal into aluminium hydroxide, which can be used again to make new battery. Car owner would have to swap batteries every few months. Tesla showed their battery swap service only requires 90-seconds. To maintain this reaction, car owners would just have to add tap water every few months (Edwards, 2014).

Market

Yunnan Aluminium Co. planning to invest $1.5 million in this technology. (Yicai, 2017) Phinergy invested $50 million and Alcoa $10 million. (Reback, 2016)

Where is the product heading?

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Conclusion

The cost of this technology required is around $25. This technology can give the car another 1609 kilometer, with the price it is definitely worth and affordable. But will it be primary source or just a range extender for the car?

Reference:

  1. Anthony, S (2013). Aluminium-air battery can power electric vehicles for 1,000 miles, will come to production cars in 2017. Retrieved from https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/151801-aluminium-air-battery-can-power-electric-vehicles-for-1000-miles-will-come-to-production-cars-in-2017
  2. Edwards, L (2014). Electric car, with light aluminium-air battery, travels 1,100 miles on a single charge, take note Tesla. Retrieved from https://www.pocket-lint.com/cars/news/tesla/129419-electric-car-with-light-aluminium-air-battery-travels-1-100-miles-on-a-single-charge-take-note-tesla
  3. Reback, G. (2016). Investors throw $50M at Israeli revolutionary electric car battery. Retrieved from https://www.geektime.com/2016/01/07/investors-throw-50m-at-israeli-revolutionary-electric-car-battery/
  4. Yicai (2016). Yunnan Aluminium Invests USD1.5 Million to Take Over Aluminum-Air Battery Maker. Retrieved from https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/yunnan-aluminium-invests-usd15-million-take-over-aluminum-air-battery-maker