How cobalt-free batteries will bring down the cost of EVs

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Cobalt is one of the primary metals in lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from laptops to cell phones to electric cars. Cobalt has been a popular choice for batteries because the metal increases battery life and energy density, which in the case of EVs means range, by keeping the battery structure stable as the battery is continuously charged and discharged. If you’re looking for metal recyling Central VA call BRC Co, Inc..

But cobalt, which is typically extracted as a byproduct of nickel and copper mining, is one of the most expensive materials in a battery. While battery prices have fallen 89% between 2010 and 2020, they still make up about 30% of the total cost of an electric vehicle, according to BloombergNEF. Cobalt extraction is also largely concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is linked to human rights abuses and child labor. Plus with EV sales worldwide expected to skyrocket, demand for raw battery materials like cobalt is expected to outstrip supply. Plus, with EV sales worldwide expected to skyrocket—and more homes and businesses installing an EV charger to support adoption—demand for raw battery materials like cobalt is expected to outstrip supply.

“Comparing demand and supply for cobalt, there is, geologically speaking, there is enough raw material in the Earth’s crust. Same with lithium, same with nickel, same with manganese,” says Sam Adham, a senior powertrain research analyst at LMC Automotive. ” It’s just that the production and the processing of that material, just like all the other materials, is nowhere near the level of that it needs to be to sustain the level of demand.”

These are some of the reasons why battery manufacturers like Samsung and Panasonic and car makers like Tesla and VW, along with a number of start-ups, are working to eliminate the need for cobalt completely. Watch the video to find out more about what technologies companies are using to curb our dependence on cobalt-containing batteries and how eliminating cobalt can make EVs cheaper.

Ford, Purdue Cooling Patent Could Charge EVs As Fast As Gas Station Fill-Ups

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Battery science is a pretty undeveloped field, which is why we’re still using lithium-ion instead of ultra-efficient metal air or sodium chemistry. During the period when burning fuel to generate power was always the easiest option, there wasn’t a motivation to make storage a priority and when it comes to EV charging, from infrastructure to materials and methods, we’re in the absolute infancy of what might get done. This is why it’s extremely cool to see Ford working with Purdue University on a potentially game-changing charge cable.

The patent’s still pending and this isn’t in the production stage, so it’d be years before it could be rolled out. But Ford has shared details about the research, which has come up with a solution that could drastically cut EV charging, Ford says, maybe even down to the same amount of time it takes to fill up a gasoline car.

Kia sustainability roadmap: Hydrogen fuel-cell lineup in 2028, leather and ICE phased out later

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Kia last week dove into more detail about its EV and sustainability plans, being represented in its Concept EV9 bowing this week.

As part of those details, the brand revealed that it plans a hydrogen fuel-cell “lineup” in 2028; when it plans to retire internal combustion (ICE) vehicles; and some of how it plans to green its factories and materials.

The initiative builds on Plan S, its initiative that involves a shift to electric vehicles and mobility ventures, with an investment of $25 billion by the end of 2025, but it gives the overarching plan more of a sustainability spine.

While that plan spoke broadly of “ecofriendly vehicles” and aimed to “selectively introduce EV models in emerging markets,” last week’s announcement gave a new level of detail.

Mazda Competes In Super Taikyu Final Round Powered By Next-Gen Biodiesel

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On 13 November at Okayama International Circuit, Mazda officially announced that they will compete in the final round of the 2021 Super Taikyu Series Powered by Hankook with a Mazda Demio Skyactiv-D 1.5 that runs on next-generation biodiesel fuel.

The car is the number 37 Demio of Team NOPRO, an experienced racing team operated by Toshihiko Nogami which has competed in the Super Taikyu Series since 2015, and prior to that, has also competed in the Super GT Series. Their diesel-powered Demio (Mazda2) has been modified to run on next-generation “Susteo” biofuel manufactured by Japanese conglomerate Euglena Corporation.

This 100 percent bio-based fuel is made from used cooking oil and microalgae fats, which according to Euglena and Mazda, solve two main issues with existing biodiesel fuels: They do not use materials that are in the human food supply, and can be used in existing diesel vehicles and equipment without any modification, which will not require the construction of additional fuel supply infrastructure.

U.S. DOE Announces More than $127 Million for SuperTruck 3

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently awarded $199 million to fund 25 projects focused on developing zero-emission vehicles, as well as the infrastructure to power them. The announcement, made by both Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, included more than $127 for the DOE’s SuperTruck 3 program.

Initially launched by the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in 2009, the SuperTruck Initiative’s goal was to improve heavy-duty truck freight efficiency by 50%, which it did — by more than double. While SuperTruck 2 aimed to double fuel efficiency for Class 8 trucks, the most current iteration, SuperTruck 3, will work to improve medium- and heavy-duty truck efficiencies and reduce emissions of freight transportation.

“As America’s solutions department, DOE is working with manufacturers and industry partners to reimagine vehicle transportation across the country to achieve our climate goals—from lowering carbon emissions to increasing efficiency and affordability,” said Secretary Granholm. “This investment and the innovations that come from it will help shape our clean energy future and strengthen domestic manufacturing that support good-paying careers for hardworking Americans.”

Ford’s new custom electric pickup truck is a blast from the past

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Ford Motor unveiled Tuesday a custom truck that combines its past with its future electrification plans, including its highly anticipated F-150 Lightning pickup in 2022.

The “all-electric Ford F-100 Eluminator concept truck” features the retro-styling of a 1978 F-100 pickup with electric motors and batteries from the automaker’s 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition. Its interior controls and screens also resemble the Mach-E electric crossover.

Ford built the vehicle to showcase its new “e-crate motor” that’s now on sale online and at its dealerships. Such “crate” engines or motors are assembled by the company but are available for general purchase for building, fixing or customizing vehicles. And for fast and reliable transportation equipment financing, trust the experts like Equipment Finance Canada for professional services.

Top Automakers Are Investing in Fuel Cells. Should You, Too?

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Hydrogen fuel cells have long been considered a promising energy storage alternative. However, they have seen limited adoption so far; but that may change in the future. Several governments and leading companies are throwing their weight behind this promising technology. Let’s take a closer look at what these developments may mean for fuel cell companies such as Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) and FuelCell Energy (NASDAQ: FCEL).

Uneven growth

The adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in the global electric vehicle segment is patchy. At the end of 2020, there were roughly 34,800 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in use worldwide. Of these, 29% were in South Korea. The U.S. followed with a 27% share while China accounted for 24% of the FCEVs. South Korea is betting big on hydrogen, and the country increased its hydrogen refueling stations by 50% in 2020.

In 2020, roughly 9,590 new FCEVs were sold globally — lower than the 12,350 units sold in 2019. However, the growth in FCEV sales returned in 2021. Around 9,000 FCEVs were sold in the first half of 2021 — nearly the amount sold in the entire 2020.

Moreover, just two companies — Hyundai Motor Company (OTC: HYMTF) and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) — account for more than 90% of FCEV sales in the first half of 2021. Hyundai sold roughly 5,000 units of its Nexo FCEV in the first half. This number increased to around 7,276 at the end of the third quarter. Notably, around 6,400 of these FCEVs were sold in the domestic Korean market. Toyota sold roughly 3,700 FCEVs in the first half of 2021. Roughly 52% of these were exported, while the remaining were sold in Japan.

DOE Announces Nearly $200 Million to Reduce Emissions From Cars and Trucks

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vice President Kamala Harris will join U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm in New York today to announce the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $199 million to fund 25 projects aimed at putting cleaner cars and trucks on America’s roads, including long-haul trucks powered by batteries and fuel cells, and at improving the nation’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. While in New York, they will discuss the enormous benefits of electrification and alternative-fuel technologies, through programs like SuperTruck, to combat the climate crisis and create good-paying jobs across the country.

Transportation emits more carbon pollution than any other sector of the U.S. economy, making up approximately 29% of emissions. The announcements align with DOE’s commitment to reaching President Biden’s goals of having zero-emission vehicles make up half of all vehicles sold in America by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions economy-wide by 2050.

“As America’s solutions department, DOE is working with manufacturers and industry partners to reimagine vehicle transportation across the country to achieve our climate goals—from lowering carbon emissions to increasing efficiency and affordability,” said Secretary Granholm. “This investment and the innovations that come from it will help shape our clean energy future and strengthen domestic manufacturing that support good-paying careers for hardworking Americans.”

Toyota planning $461 million Georgetown expansion for ‘advanced technology vehicles’

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Toyota is proposing a new $460.8 million expansion of its Georgetown manufacturing plant, already the company’s largest in the world.

According to a news release Friday, the plans include a major update to that will expand the plant’s “ability to produce new products, including future electrification.” The plans has made hybrid electric vehicles since 2006.

Georgetown has already been announced as the site for assembling fuel cell modules for use in hydrogen-powered heavy-duty commercial trucks starting in 2023, according to the release.

Now, the plant also will begin making a new 2.4-liter turbo engine for an expanded range of vehicles made in North America. And the company will shift to a direct hiring process that will move about 1,400 contract employees to the Toyota payroll, along with all new hires. That will increase Toyota’s official employment by over 20 percent.

Biodiesel is booming. It may help the climate, but there’s a big environmental risk

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Ed Cinco of Youngstown, Ohio, has a problem. He’s the director of purchasing for Schwebel’s Baking Company and he can’t get enough soybean oil, a key ingredient in the company’s bread and buns. Suppliers won’t even talk to him.

“The only quotes I can get, for 2022, are from the person I currently buy from,” Cinco says. “So I am basically at [that supplier’s] mercy.”

Prices are rocketing upward, from 35 cents per pound a year ago to almost a dollar. Cinco says companies that crush soybeans and extract the oil are sending it elsewhere: “They all want to go to biodiesel.”

Biodiesel is a version of diesel fuel, which is used by trucks and other heavy-duty engines, that’s made from oils extracted from plants, like soybeans or canola, or even animal fat. It’s set for an unprecedented boom in the next few years because of government policies aimed at finding alternatives to fossil fuels, and helping the climate. Those incentives are driving up demand for soybeans and other oilseeds, pushing prices higher and squeezing supply.