High-Performance, Low-Cost Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
Critical Need:
Most of today’s electric vehicles (EVs) are powered by lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries—the same kind of batteries used in cell phones and laptop computers. Currently, Li-Ion batteries enable a driving range typically limited to 100 miles on a single charge and account for nearly 65% of the total cost of EVs. To compete in the market with gasoline-based vehicles, EVs must cost less and drive farther. An EV that is cost-competitive with gasoline would require a battery with twice the energy storage capacity of today’s state-of-the-art Li-Ion battery at 30% of the cost.
Project Innovation + Advantages:
Vorbeck Materials is developing a low-cost, fast-charging storage battery for hybrid vehicles. The battery cells are based on lithium-sulfur (Li-S) chemistries, which have a greater energy density compared to today’s Li-Ion batteries. Vorbeck’s approach involves developing a Li-S battery with radically different design for both cathode and anode. The technology has the potential to capture more energy, increasing the efficiency of hybrid vehicles by up to 20% while reducing cost and greenhouse gas emissions.
Potential Impact:
If successful, Vorbeck’s Li-S battery would increase the efficiency of medium-duty hybrid vehicles by 20% and address the combined challenges of energy density, recharge rate, stability, cycle life, and cost.
Security:
Increased use of EVs would decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil—the transportation sector is the dominant source of this dependence.
Environment:
Greater use of EVs would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 28% of which come from the transportation sector.
Economy:
The ability to make higher performance batteries at a lower cost will give U.S. battery manufactures a significant and enduring advantage over their foreign competitors.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Ping Liu
Project Contact:
Dr. John Lettow
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
john.lettow@vorbeck.com
Partners
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Princeton University
Individual Consultant - Edward McCullough
Related Projects
Release Date:
11/28/2012