To address these valid concerns, a lot of money and time is being spent developing new battery technologies.
What Is an Aluminum-Air Battery?
Electric vehicles play a vital role in achieving a net-zero future.
However,range anxietyand safety questions over lithium-ion batteries are roadblocks impeding EV market growth.
The concept of these batteries dates back to the 1960s.
But since its electrolyte was dangerously caustic and poisonous, it couldn’t be used commercially.
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How Does an Aluminum-Air Battery Work?
When the battery is used, ions flow from the anode through the electrolyte to the cathode.
During charging, the ions flow the opposite way back to the anode.
Al-air batteries function similarly to a fuel cell.
It uses aluminum at the anode and oxygen at the cathode.
The result is a much higher energy density.
Around eight to nine times greater than current lithium-ion batteries used in EVs, a substantial power increase.
Energy density measures how much energy a battery can store per unit of mass.
Power density measures how much instantaneous energy it can deliver per unit of mass.
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A load can be powered by the electrical current generated by electrons moving through an external circuit.
The end result is a white powder that forms on the anode.
Moreover, it’s non-toxic.
First, it has the disadvantage of being a primary battery.
Essentially, it cannot be recharged once the battery is discharged or empty.
Furthermore, the air inside the battery corrodes the aluminum anode.
Therefore, the aluminum plate in the battery needs to be replaced, which can be costly.
Additionally, battery production costs can be affected by the fluctuating price of silver the battery contains.
According to estimates, Al-air batteries last about 5,400 miles.
The question is: why would anyone go down this route instead of recharging?
With an Al-air-powered EV, you’re able to go much further without finding a charging station.
Are Aluminum-Air Batteries the Future?
It is possible to use Al-air batteries in today’s electric vehicles.
These batteries will likely increase in popularity as battery-swapping stations become more prevalent.
