While the electric vehicle market is growing exponentially, there are still significant issues with the lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries that are powering those vehicles. Auto companies are still looking for batteries that can provide longer driving ranges, can be charged in the same amount of time as today’s petrol cars, can start at temperatures as low as -30 oC and are safer than today batteries, which may have thermal runaways or fires in accidents and upon charging. Prieto is developing an advanced 3-dimensional (3D), solid-state, rechargeable lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that will address these issues and enable a complete transition to electric vehicles.
Prieto’s advanced 3D batteries will have higher energy density than today’s Li-ion batteries, which translates to significantly longer ranges in electric vehicles. The 3D batteries can be charged in 3 to 15 minutes and can operate at temperatures ranging from -30 oC to 120 oC. In addition, these batteries will be safer than traditional Li-ion batteries, since they use a solid polymer electrolyte versus a liquid electrolyte, thus eliminating possible thermal runaways and fires.
While improving the performance of the batteries is paramount to improving electric vehicle performance and enabling a complete transition to electric vehicles, being able to manufacture at low-cost and high-volume is equally important. The design of Prieto’s 3D battery was done with low-cost, sustainable, and high-volume manufacturing in mind from the very early stages of development, enabling a faster transition to full scale commercial manufacturing.