Better EV batteries: The next-gen batteries that charge faster and don’t overheat

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• November 30, 2021

The landscape of energy storage has dramatically transformed, with significant cost reductions and improved performance of lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, the breakthrough in graphene-based batteries offers superior efficiency, faster charging, and increased storage capacity. These advancements can lead to cleaner transportation, job creation in the clean energy sector, government investment in charging infrastructure, and innovations in renewable energy storage.

Better EV batteries context

In 1991, a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) was priced at a staggering USD $7,500, according to research organization Our World in Data. To put this into perspective, if the Nissan Leaf, a popular electric car model, had been available during that time, the cost of its battery alone would have been USD $300,000. This high cost was a significant barrier to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and other technologies reliant on efficient energy storage.

However, the landscape of energy storage has been dramatically reshaped over the years due to rapid advancements in storage capacity, battery components, and production methods. By 2018, the cost of a lithium-ion battery with the same capacity had plummeted by 97 percent to just USD $181. This drastic reduction in cost has made technologies that rely on these batteries, such as electric cars and renewable energy systems, more financially accessible to a broader range of consumers and businesses.

In addition to the significant cost reduction, the performance of lithium-ion batteries has also seen substantial improvements. In 1991, a liter of battery could store only 200 watt-hours (Wh) of energy. However, by 2016, the same volume of battery could store over 700 Wh, more than three times the capacity. This improvement in energy density has allowed for more compact and efficient designs in a variety of technologies, from electric vehicles to portable electronics, further driving the adoption and impact of these technologies.

Disruptive impact

The breakthrough in battery technology utilizing graphene, a carbon-based material, has the potential for profound long-term impacts on various fronts. Apart from its superior efficiency and sustainability compared to lithium-ion, this new prototype exhibits remarkable charging capabilities, with tests indicating a charging speed 70 times faster than traditional lithium-ion models. Moreover, it has a storage capacity three times greater, providing extended usage times and reducing the need for frequent recharging.

One significant advantage of this graphene-based battery is its ability to operate without an ampere limit, eliminating the risk of overheating. This removes the need for a cooling mechanism, which typically occupies a considerable amount of space within the battery. This development addresses critical concerns regarding range anxiety and charging infrastructure.

This breakthrough has caught the attention of companies like UniQuest and Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) in Australia, which are actively exploring ways to scale up the technology and bring graphene-aluminum batteries to the market. The increasing interest and investments in this space highlight the growing emphasis on manufacturing batteries that are not only lightweight and efficient but also environmentally friendly and recyclable. As companies continue to refine and optimize graphene-based batteries, their utilization may extend beyond EVs to various industries, such as portable electronics, aerospace, and renewable energy storage.

Implications of better EV batteries

Wider implicatios of better EV batteries may include:

• Smaller EV batteries that can be swapped or charged in minutes, also spurring the growth of EV charging stations.


• Fewer batteries in landfills as EV batteries become more durable and can be more easily recycled.


• EVs continuing to fall in price as the number and size of batteries needed for these vehicles shrinks, all while still exhibiting the same energy storage and power performance as 2021 battery tech.


• A significant social shift towards cleaner transportation options, reducing air pollution and improving public health.


• A surge in demand for EVs, creating new job opportunities in manufacturing, research, and development within the clean energy sector.


• Governments investing in charging infrastructure and providing incentives to accelerate the transition to EVs, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting energy independence.


• Reduced traffic congestion and noise pollution, enhancing the quality of life for residents.


• Innovations in renewable energy storage, enabling the integration of intermittent energy sources like solar and wind into the power grid, fostering a more sustainable and resilient energy system.


• A potential decline in traditional automotive manufacturing jobs and a rise in the demand for skilled workers in the EV industry.

Questions to consider

• How else can better batteries improve your driving experience?


• Are there other next-gen battery technologies that you think might have a greater potential than graphene-aluminum batteries?