Shift Magazine - February 2020 - 5

4 CONTENDERS FOR NEXT-GEN BATTERIES

letters

Regarding "Beyond lithium ion: Solid-state batteries
show promise" (November): I think there are only
four serious contenders for the next-generation
batteries at this moment.
1. Toyota, as described in this article.
2. Graphenano in Spain, with its graphene/polymer
battery. They are working with unnamed auto
companies and Airbus to adapt the technology.
3. Fisker Inc. in Los Angeles. Its CEO, Henrik Fisker,
said their solid-state batteries will be ready before 2023.
4. ZapGo in the U.K. They call their battery a
carbon ion battery. It provides a very fast charging/
discharging rate like a supercapacitor because the
electrons are absorbed/desorbed instead of using
chemical reaction. However, its energy density is
low. It does not use expensive cobalt and lithium.
HSING CHEN
Broomfield, Colo.
The writer is a retired research chemist.

EV SAFETY CONCERNS GO BEYOND
FIRST RESPONDERS

Thanks so much for the November issue of Shift! I
have done quite a bit of work with Michael Gorin, the
subject of the Q&A, and the National Fire Protection
Association in developing training for firefighter
response to electric/hybrid/gaseous fuels vehicles.
The EV safety concern, though manageable, must
be strongly considered. The Shift staff shed light on
issues that, ultimately, go well beyond responder
actions. Risk issues involving the batteries in particular
impact the entire life cycle. There is a potential for
failures (fire, explosion, etc.) in every stage of the
supply/value chain. This includes manufacturing,
transportation, warehousing, etc. Failures are
unacceptable because with proper mitigation
strategies, the risk is manageable.

RONALD BUTLER
CEO
Energy Storage Safety Products International
Detroit

WHAT ABOUT LITHIUM CARBON DIOXIDE?

Regarding "On the horizon" (November), about new
battery technologies that could take the world beyond
lithium ion: Of the four technologies you researched,
I am most hopeful with regard to fluoride batteries.
But there is a technology you didn't include that
has very recently been developed to a point where
it seems ready for production. That technology is
lithium carbon dioxide batteries. These batteries
have over seven times the energy density of lithium
batteries and can go through 500 cycles without
much loss of capacity. So when will we see them?
ELIZABETH JANE
Queenstown, Australia

BRUSH UP ON BATTERY BASICS

Two statements in November's "Battery basics"
illustrate a shallow and superficial knowledge of
such basics.
First, an electrode does not transport electrons
from one side of the battery to the other; it does
collect ions from the electrolyte.
Second, the energy density definition states:
"Density determines the distance an electric car can
travel between charges." That is wrong. The stored
energy determines the distance an electric car can
travel between charges. Density partially determines
the gross weight of the EV.
ALLEN FUHS
Carmel, Calif.

Shift welcomes letters
from readers.
Send letters intended
for publication to
shift@crain.com.
shift@crain.com
Please include your
name, title and
company (if any).

february 2020 * shift

5
Shift Magazine - February 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Shift Magazine - February 2020
