We freely admit that this isn’t about trucks—at least not yet. However, Service Truck Magazine is committed to doing its best to keep you informed of the latest tech and insights into EVs (electric vehicles).
Electrification of trucks and automobiles is here—it’s just not yet widespread amongst both the general public of the trucking industry.
[ED. NOTE: Having said that, if you have an electric service truck in the works or on the prowl, let us know asap.]
Within the burgeoning world of electric vehicles, besides the price for a new vehicle, the biggest concern is the travel distance allowed on a single charge.
While distances have been increases with each new iteration of battery, there hasn’t been much too much progress made on charge time—the length of time required to charge an electric vehicle’s battery.
It’s a lot of time… and within the trucking industry, and certain Type A executroids, time is money… and time is being wasted while one has to wait for a battery to recharge.
However—at least for automobiles—Enovix believes it has a solution.
The start-up company’s silicon-based battery is a fast charger, capable of reaching a 98 percent charge in just 10 minutes.
While 10 minutes is still about eight minutes longer than it takes to refuel a gasoline car, in the world of electric vehicles, the Enovix solution is pretty good. And, consider that in the US gas prices are about $5 a gallon or $8 in Canada.
For those math inclined—your writer is not, which is why he is a writer—33.7 kilowatt hours of electricity is equivalent to one gallon of gasoline. While electricity costs vary by State and Province, and even by time of day, on average the cost of electricity for an equivalent amount gasoline is about 75 percent less.
So yes, there is value to be found. Again… electricity prices do vary.
Per 2020 data from the US Energy Information Administration:
- Hawaii: 27.55 cents/kWh;
- Louisiana: 7.51 cents/kWh;
- US average: 10.59 cents/kWh
Enovix
While ABB is currently in possession of what it said is the world's fastest electric vehicle charger with an ability to fully charge a car in 15 minutes or less, Enovix is working to undercut these figures with its proprietary battery architecture that features an EV-class cathode and anode made from silicon, fashioned into a "3D cell architecture."
Enovix called itself the leader in advanced silicon-anode lithium-ion battery development and production.
The company has been developing its technology through a grant program from the US Department of Energy, and hopes to offer a solution for not just EVs but broader energy storage applications. On June 13, 2022, it announced it had demonstrated that its battery can be charged from zero to 80 percent in as little as 5.2 minutes, and to more than 98 percent in less than 10 minutes.
“Fast charge capability can accelerate mass adoption of EVs, and we’ve been able to demonstrate a level of performance that meets and exceeds many OEM roadmaps,” said Harrold Rust, co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and President of Enovix. “EV manufacturers are in pursuit of batteries that support longer range, while the public and private sectors work to increase EV driver access to fast chargers. We’re proud to support these goals to help electrify the automotive industry and demonstrate our batteries are an exciting option to power long-range, fast-charging EVs.”
The other co-founder of Enovix and Chief Technology Officer Ashok Lahiri added: “Our unique architecture enables a battery that not only charges in less than 10 minutes, but also maintains high cycle life.
“We can improve battery performance today using the same chemistries, but more importantly, we can accelerate the industry’s roadmap.”
As part of the company’s three-year Department of Energy grant program that is pairing a 100 percent active silicon anode with EV-class cathode materials, the company recently announced its cells surpassed 1,000 cycles while retaining 93 percent of its capacity.
Testing also demonstrated that after six months at elevated temperatures, Enovix batteries had minimal capacity loss. This pairing is projecting a calendar life of greater than 10 years for Enovix batteries.
The company is constructing an advanced silicon-anode lithium-ion battery production facility in the US for volume production. For more information, go to www.enovix.com.