New Li-Ion Batteries Charge as Fast as Gas Tanks

Scientists at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign announce the development of a new battery design, which enables the energy-storage devices to load in just about the same time it takes a driver to fill a tank of gas.

Having to wait for 8 to 12 hours for an electric battery to load is making many would-be electric car buyers hesitate in making this choice. However, if EV and fossil fuel performances would be similar, they may be persuaded to go green.

UIUC researchers managed to create a type of sponge-like, 3D nanostructure, which they construct inside their new batteries. This enables them to charge and discharge at very fast rate, all while ensuring that the overall battery capacity does not diminish in the process.

If this research is successful, then we could expect to see electric cars with increased mileage and performance levels making their way onto our streets within the next few years, Gas 2.0 reports.