Re:New Battery Technology Coming Soon – A Game Changer
by philipkglass on Tuesday November 19, 2019 @02:02PM
(#21576843)
"Could drive down the cost of hydrogen and double the range of battery-electric vehicles worldwide"
This point hints at the likely Achilles heel: an aqueous electrolyte that is partially decomposed during charging, releasing hydrogen. Hydrogen evolution means that the energy efficiency of charging the battery is limited. Hydrogen release is also a potential safety hazard. Finally, it means that the battery system can't be sealed; the battery needs to be able to release gas build-up and accept additions of water to restore what has been lost from the electrolyte.
Limited charging efficiency due to hydrogen evolution has been a sticky point for other battery chemistries in the past. Nikola appears to be trying to spin this as an advantage. "Buy a battery and get a hydrogen source for free!" But then you need expensive infrastructure to capture, store, and use the hydrogen.
This point hints at the likely Achilles heel: an aqueous electrolyte that is partially decomposed during charging, releasing hydrogen. Hydrogen evolution means that the energy efficiency of charging the battery is limited. Hydrogen release is also a potential safety hazard. Finally, it means that the battery system can't be sealed; the battery needs to be able to release gas build-up and accept additions of water to restore what has been lost from the electrolyte.
Limited charging efficiency due to hydrogen evolution has been a sticky point for other battery chemistries in the past. Nikola appears to be trying to spin this as an advantage. "Buy a battery and get a hydrogen source for free!" But then you need expensive infrastructure to capture, store, and use the hydrogen.