Call for new batteries in electric-car revolution

The lithium-ion battery technology that has spread from electronics to autos isn't sufficient to revolutionise the transport and power industries, according to chemist Peter Bruce.

While companies spearheaded improvements in the power and durability of lithium-ion batteries, research into radical new materials is needed to achieve another breakthrough in power-storage technology, the University of St Andrews professor said in Hong Kong.

Companies including General Motors and Mitsubishi Motors are introducing battery-powered vehicles, seeking to capitalise on a shift in consumer demand and government incentive programmes.

A limited driving range and difficulty charging the vehicles remain major impediments to mass-market adoption.

"For the transport sector and for applications such as load levelling you need new materials because you cannot make larger versions of the battery that's been the mainstay of consumer electronics," the Scotland-based chemist said.

"Battery technology is not going to give us that kind of range of pure electric vehicle for some time. That's where we need a paradigm shift."

Bruce led a team in developing a lithium "air battery" which could provide 10 times the power capacity of current batteries because the oxygen doesn't need to be stored within the electrode, saving space, the group claims.

'There is life beyond lithium-ion," said Bruce.

- BLOOMBERG