INSIDEEVS
In a significant end-of-year development, Tesla, in collaboration with Canadian physicists from Dalhousie University, has filed a new patent for an advanced Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery technology. This innovation, patented on December 26, 2019, is poised to surpass the performance of the current Li-Ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) and other energy storage systems. The newly patented technology aligns with an April 2019 announcement by Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, where he promised a “1 million-mile battery pack” for Tesla’s future vehicles.
The concept of a 1 million-mile battery is central to Musk’s vision for fleets of autonomous ‘robotaxis’ and long-haul electric trucks. These applications demand a battery lifespan that exceeds the capabilities of existing Li-Ion batteries, which power Tesla’s current fleet of passenger vehicles.
Currently, Tesla’s most efficient models boast a maximum single-charge range of 370 miles—just shy of the distance between Baltimore, MD, and Boston, MA. These batteries have a lifespan ranging between 300,000 and 500,000 miles. This is already impressive considering the average car lifespan in the U.S. is around 150,000 miles or about 11 years, according to AAA’s estimate of 13,500 miles per year.
However, while today’s Li-Ion batteries are more than sufficient for the average EV owner—who typically uses less than a quarter of the battery charge daily—they fall short for applications like long-haul freight or continuous taxi services. For example, an average truck driver covers between 2,000 to 3,000 miles per week, accumulating 100,000 to 150,000 miles annually. In such scenarios, the lifespan of current batteries is inadequate.
This is where Tesla’s latest patent comes into play. The newly patented battery technology, named “Dioxazolones And Nitrile Sulfites As Electrolyte Additives For Lithium-Ion Batteries,” claims to improve efficiency, energy density, and longevity while reducing costs compared to current Li-Ion batteries. This technology appears to be an enhancement of Tesla’s existing NMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide) battery chemistry, currently used in its stationary energy storage systems, though Tesla’s vehicles predominantly use NCA-type batteries (lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide).
The key to the new battery’s potential lies in its cathode crystal structure and chemical composition, which make it far more resilient to the wear and tear caused by cycling. If this patent indeed represents the much-anticipated “million-mile” battery, we can expect it to retain 95% of its capacity after 1,000 discharge cycles. In contrast, typical Li-Ion batteries are often in the last quarter of their life at this point. Remarkably, Tesla’s new battery could maintain 90% of its life after 4,000 cycles.
While it’s not yet confirmed whether the patented technology is directly linked to the “million-mile” battery Musk promised, it’s clear that Tesla is making significant strides in battery technology. Once this super battery hits production, it could have profound implications not just for electric vehicles but also for broader energy storage systems. The anticipated quadrupling of cycling power will likely make energy storage cheaper and more efficient, accelerating the transition to electric power and renewable energy sources.
Tesla’s advancements in battery technology continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the electric vehicle market. The introduction of a million-mile battery would not only revolutionize Tesla’s product offerings but also set a new industry standard for durability and efficiency in energy storage.
