A research group working with the University of Surrey and University of Bristol claims to have reached a breakthrough in its research into electric vehicle batteries. It says supercapacitors are proven to be between 1,000 and 10,000 times more powerful than equivalent batteries. According to the group, supercapacitors will replace batteries in electric vehicles, allowing them to be charged in a matter of seconds.
This breakthrough could finally allow battery-electric vehicles to have ranges as long as those of fossil-fuelled cars, along with similar refuelling times. The group also described supercapacitors as being more efficient and greener, suggesting that they may waste less energy and have a smaller environmental impact than regular electric vehicle powertrains.
These conclusions were made by the two universities in cooperation with Augmented Optics, a company that owns Supercapacitor Materials Ltd, with the group adding that supercapacitors will “revolutionise the capabilities of appliances that have previously relied on battery power to work". Laptops, mobile phones and tablet computers are all targeted by the group as areas for potential change.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has already backed supercapacitors but said, “We need a breakthrough in energy density” on his social media accounts. The research group suggests that this may be the breakthrough Musk was referring to. China already has a fleet of supercapacitor-equipped buses, although these do not yet have the considerable range the research group claims is possible with further development.
Jim Heathcote, chief executive of both Augmented Optics and Supercapacitor Materials, said, “We are now actively seeking commercial partners in order to supply our polymers and offer assistance to build these ultra-high-energy density storage devices.” The company also cites Musk's vested interest in the technology, suggesting they will be expecting to make contact with Tesla about the proposition. Heathcote explained that the group has been working in secret on the project until this point, having filed worldwide patents only last week.
The group hopes to have a working prototype in action by 2017.