New Super-Material to Cause Electric Vehicle Breakthrough?
It’s no secret that electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and battery makers have long been searching for the “Holy Grail” technology that could lower the cost of batteries while also extending their range. Government research labs, venture capital, startups, and large corporations have all toyed with different ways to get to the promise land.
Here’s what’s special: Graphite is a crystalline form of carbon. Within graphite is graphene, the world’s thinnest material that has some superlative properties.
Graphene is incredibly durable and tough – 200 times stronger than steel – yet ultra-light weight. It is described as the world’s strongest and lightest material. It is also transparent, and conducts electricity substantially better than copper. Electrons can travel using graphene with virtually zero resistance and no heat loss, nearly qualifying it as a superconductor.
These virtues have singled it out as one of candidates most likely to take lithium-ion batteries to the next level, potentially leading to a breakthrough for electric vehicles. The thinking is that graphene will allow EVs to recharge must faster and go longer distances.
The only problem is that production of graphene is still low. Graphite itself is still cheap, but the trick is rendering out the graphene. Scientists were only able to separate out graphene in 2004, and researchers and entrepreneurs are still looking for ways to mass produce the material at low cost
Graphite demand is expected to skyrocket as EVs gain traction – graphite demand could double in the coming years, according to UBS. For now, graphite prices remain low. The rush for materials and commodities needed for EV manufacturing has set off multiple bull runs. The price of lithium has skyrocketed as automakers scale up EV production. Cobalt has also seen a huge run up in prices. Graphite could also see similar price increases, but it is still early. Still, analysts see prices doubling or tripling from current levels.
The company (or companies) that figure out how to mass produce graphene could be at the center of the EV boom. If they succeed, the era of the electric vehicle could come a lot sooner than everyone thinks.
Category: General Update, Green, News
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