Clever New Ultra-Capacitors Could Boost EV Range - And Performance

By adding a system that recoups and deploys energy much more quickly than conventional electric car batteries can, performance and range can be increased
Clever New Ultra-Capacitors Could Boost EV Range - And Performance

Hybrid and electric cars could see significantly boosted driving range thanks to a new technology under development in France.

NAWA Technology is trialling so-called ‘ultra-capacitors’ that can charge and discharge far more quickly than regular lithium-ion batteries. They can’t store too much energy though, so their characteristics make them perfect to act as short-term performance boosters.

Brace for science things
Brace for science things

The idea is that these ultra-capacitors, which use carbon nanotubes like those built into the bodywork of the Lamborghini Terzo Millennio’s bodywork, could recoup much more energy from waste heat or braking and have it ready instantly to deploy during acceleration.

Taking much of this load off the main battery would extend driving range by quite a bit – or allow car makers to save weight and size by using smaller lithium-ion batteries. On top of that, less charging and discharging strain on the main battery means it should last longer.

Carbon nanotubes are at the heart of the tech
Carbon nanotubes are at the heart of the tech

NAWA says that trials based on a Formula E drivetrain that had been modified to include ultra-capacitors weighed 30 per cent less for the same overall performance. Applying CT maths, that’s potentially a whole lot more performance for the same weight.

The firm is now targeting the big three German premium brands, potentially as well as Jaguar, in the hope of seeing the fruits of its labours make production in 2022.

Source: Autocar

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Comments

Erich Mohrmann

But it’s still electric :( I’d rather stick to a 1.4 Golf or Up! GTI

05/09/2018 - 10:48 |
10 | 2
Jeremy S.

that Lamborghini still doesn’t have that much ground clearance

05/09/2018 - 10:56 |
0 | 3
ChaseB

I don’t see what all of the hate about electric cars is about, I’ve driven a few of them, and they feel great. I see a majority of the hate is over range, even though you can go over 200 miles on a single charge in a large amount of EVs. I’m personally excited for the rise of the EV, and this development could lead to cool cars like the Terzo Millennio, or the new Tesla Roadster actually being made.

05/09/2018 - 11:05 |
54 | 6
Anonymous

That’s super cool. Also, I think I’d be fine with electric cars if they played a ICE sound when it drove. It adds character.

05/09/2018 - 11:08 |
1 | 4
Niko Ala-Rämi 🇫🇮

But when flux capacitors

05/09/2018 - 11:15 |
0 | 0
5:19.55

F1 next tech?

05/09/2018 - 11:31 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

I dont hate electric cars I hate the fact that we are supposed to all buy them instead of ICE cars, which annoys me because it feels like we arent allowed to prefer other cars anymore and it is scary to me

05/09/2018 - 12:04 |
10 | 0
Anonymous

Come on flux capacitors!!

05/09/2018 - 12:05 |
2 | 0
suchdoge

Is CT Maths equivalent to Top Gear Maths

05/09/2018 - 12:48 |
2 | 0
DriftMaster2.0

If so use this to destroy them

05/09/2018 - 15:04 |
0 | 3

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