The%20first-ever%20wireless%20charging%20road%20for%20electric%20vehicles%20(EV)%20has%20been%20launched%20in%20the%20US%20as%20countries%20race%20to%20find%20ways%20to%20extend%20EV%20range.%0A%0AThe%20project%20in%20Michigan%2C%20set%20to%20open%20next%20year%2C%20will%20be%20just%20one-mile%20long%20%E2%80%93%20but%20if%20successful%2C%20this%20kind%20of%20charging%20could%20help%20EVs%20travel%20longer%20distances%20without%20adding%20additional%20batteries%2C%20and%20potentially%20increase%20the%20number%20of%20drivers%20willing%20to%20make%20the%20switch%20from%20gas-powered%20cars.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CYou%E2%80%99re%20not%20going%20to%20fully%20charge%20a%20vehicle%20%E2%80%94%20especially%2C%20this%20is%2C%20you%20know%2C%20a%20minimum%20of%20a%20mile%20pilot%20project%2C%E2%80%9D%20Michele%20Mueller%20from%20the%20Michigan%20Department%20of%20Transportation%20tells%20The%20Independent.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBut%20what%20it%20will%20do%20is%20extend%20the%20range%20for%20the%20vehicle%20so%20that%20somebody%20may%20not%20have%20to%20stop.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20road%20works%20by%20using%20an%20underground%20energy%20system%20of%20charging%20coils%20that%20connect%20to%20the%20electricity%20grid%20and%20boost%20the%20lifespan%20of%20an%20EV%20battery%20as%20it%20drives%20over%20it.%0A%0ABut%20you%20can%E2%80%99t%20just%20drive%20your%20EV%20along%20the%20road%20and%20get%20a%20charge%20%E2%80%94%20the%20vehicle%20needs%20a%20special%20receiver%20for%20it%20to%20work.%0A%0AWhen%20car%20passes%20over%20the%20coils%2C%20the%20charging%20system%20activates%2C%20allowing%20the%20receiver%20to%20capture%20the%20energy%20and%20transmit%20it%20to%20the%20battery%2C%20Stefan%20Tongur%20from%20Electreon%2C%20the%20company%20building%20the%20stretch%20of%20road%20in%20Michigan%2C%20tells%20The%20Independent.%0A%0AThe%20receiver%20can%20also%20rack%20up%20a%20tab%20so%20the%20vehicle%20owner%20could%20be%20charged%20for%20the%20electricity%2C%20he%20adds.%0A%0AWithout%20an%20activated%20receiver%2C%20the%20system%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20emit%20electricity%2C%20Dr%20Tongur%20says%2C%20meaning%20people%20and%20animals%20aren%E2%80%99t%20going%20to%20be%20electrocuted%20crossing%20the%20street.%0A%0AAnd%20since%20each%20coil%20is%20individually%20connected%20to%20the%20grid%2C%20if%20there%E2%80%99s%20a%20pothole%20or%20some%20other%20breakage%20in%20the%20road%20that%20damages%20the%20system%2C%20you%20would%20only%20lose%20one%20small%20section%20of%20charging%20ability.%0A%0AThe%20charge%20per%20mile%20depends%20on%20the%20vehicle%20and%20how%20fast%20it%E2%80%99s%20driving%2C%20Dr%20Tongur%20says.%20However%20there%E2%80%99s%20a%20long%20way%20to%20go%20%E2%80%94%20and%20a%20lot%20of%20technology%20that%20would%20need%20to%20become%20standard%20%E2%80%94%20before%20this%20kind%20of%20system%20could%20make%20a%20meaningful%20difference%20for%20most%20drivers.%0A%0AFor%20one%2C%20electric%20vehicles%20would%20all%20need%20special%20receivers%20which%20don%E2%80%99t%20currently%20come%20standard.%0A%0ASecondly%2C%20wireless%20charging%20roads%20would%20need%20to%20be%20ubiquitous.%20In%20addition%20to%20the%20Michigan%20project%2C%20Electreon%20is%20testing%20these%20roads%20in%20Germany%2C%20Sweden%2C%20Italy%20and%20Israel.%20Other%20companies%20and%20governments%20are%20also%20testing%20similar%20technology%2C%20like%20Magment%2C%20a%20Germany%20company%2C%20who%E2%80%99s%20working%20with%20the%20Purdue%20University%20and%20the%20state%20of%20Indiana%20on%20a%20similar%20project.%0A%0ABut%20the%20infrastructure%20would%20need%20to%20be%20rolled%20out%20far%20more%20extensively%20to%20make%20a%20dent%20in%20most%20people%E2%80%99s%20charging%20needs.%20Bus%20routes%20may%20be%20a%20good%20place%20to%20start%2C%20Dr%20Tongur%20says%2C%20due%20to%20the%20predictable%2C%20repetitive%20routes.%20Some%20of%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20existing%20roads%20in%20Europe%20and%20Israel%20are%20focusing%20on%20buses.%0A%0AAnother%20potential%20application%20would%20be%20interstate%20highways%20where%20cars%20are%20more%20likely%20to%20travel%20distances%20beyond%20the%20range%20of%20their%20batteries%2C%20Daniel%20Sperling%2C%20a%20transportation%20researcher%20at%20the%20University%20of%20California%20Davis%2C%20tells%20The%20Independent.%0A%0ADr%20Sperling%20notes%20that%20there%20are%20other%20options%20for%20extending%20EV%20range.%20Battery%20swapping%2C%20for%20example%2C%20could%20see%20drivers%20pull%20over%20to%20swap%20out%20a%20depleted%20battery%20for%20a%20fresh%20one%20at%20sites%20similar%20to%20a%20gas%20station.%0A%0AHe%20said%20that%20questions%20remain%20over%20the%20potential%20costs%20of%20installing%20and%20maintaining%20wireless%20charging%20roads%2C%20and%20as%20the%20cost%20of%20more%20powerful%20batteries%20decline%2C%20there%20may%20not%20be%20as%20much%20need%20for%20this%20kind%20of%20technology.%0A%0AIf%20the%20new%20type%20of%20road%20network%20is%20going%20to%20work%20in%20the%20US%2C%20the%20Michigan%20pilot%20pr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First US road that charges EV while they drive

Hard%20rock%20mining%20company%20Fortescue%20Williams%20has%20adopted%20electric%20trains%20that%20can%20generate%20enough%20power%20to%20never%20need%20recharging.%20The%20company%20recently%20explained%20that%20four%20of%20its%20trains%20can%20generate%20enough%20electricity%20to%20power%20their%20operations%20through%20a%20regenerative%20braking%20system.%20The%20system%20relies%20on%20gravity%2C%20in%20which%20the%20trains%20generate%20sufficient%20power%20as%20they%20go%20downhill%20just%20to%20use%20it%20when%20climbing%20uphill.%0A%0AThe%20company%20is%20using%20the%20same%20approach%20over%20several%20new%20projects%20across%20Australia.%20It%20will%20be%20exploiting%20gravity%20to%20power%20trains%20and%20heavy%20tracks%20that%20go%20downhill%20carrying%20heavy%20loads%20and%20ascend%20uphill%20with%20light%20cargo.%20The%20added%20weight%20of%20the%20cargo%20plays%20an%20important%20role%20in%20the%20entire%20system.%20When%20going%20downhill%2C%20the%20weight%20helps%20the%20vehicles%20generate%20much%20energy%2C%20which%20can%20be%20harnessed%20through%20regenerative%20braking.%0A%0AThe%20energy%20collected%20in%20this%20model%20is%20not%20free%20and%20does%20not%20break%20away%20from%20the%20laws%20of%20science.%20The%20vehicles%20simply%20power%20themselves%20through%20the%20cycle%20of%20duty.%20To%20make%20this%20possible%2C%20the%20vehicles%20are%20equipped%20with%20unique%20electric%20motors%20that%20can%20generate%20and%20use%20electricity.%20This%20allows%20them%20to%20generate%20power%20to%20recharge%20the%20batteries%20while%20driving%20downhill.%0A%0AA%20project%20that%20started%20as%20an%20experiment%20turned%20out%20to%20be%20a%20huge%20success.%20It%20turns%20out%20that%20driving%20downhill%20at%20the%20right%20angle%20with%20a%20heavy%20load%20can%20help%20heavy%20trucks%20and%20trains%20to%20generate%20enough%20power%20to%20climb%20back%20up.%20As%20a%20matter%20of%20fact%2C%20some%20of%20the%20trains%20power%20back%20uphill%20with%20some%20reserved%20energy.%0A%0AThe%20mining%20ore%20for%20the%20company%20is%20at%20the%20top%20of%20a%20mountain.%20The%20trains%20power%20themselves%20to%20the%20top%20of%20the%20mountain%2C%20where%20they%20are%20loaded%20with%20rock%20ore.%20The%20trains%20then%20roll%20downhill%20by%20gravity%20with%20the%20engineer%20riding%20the%20regenerative%20brakes.%20%0A%0AThere%20are%20other%20vehicles%20in%20Australia%20that%20operate%20on%20the%20same%20principles.%20The%20EDumper%20is%20a%20massive%20all-electric%20mining%20truck%20that%20operates%20on%20the%20same%20principles.%20It%20rolls%20down%20the%20hill%20loaded%20with%20cargo%2C%20allowing%20it%20to%20generate%20sufficient%20electricity%20for%20the%20way%20back%20up.%0A%0AExperts%20say%20that%20the%20trains%20can%20function%20on%20any%20landscape%20with%20a%2010%20percent%20descent%20from%20the%20top%20to%20the%20bottom%20as%20long%20as%20they%20carry%20a%20heavy%20load%20from%20the%20mountain%20top%20and%20ascend%20with%20light%20cargo.

Electric trains that never need recharging

New%20charging%20hub%20capable%20of%20serving%2042%20vehicles%20at%20once%20marks%20latest%20phase%20of%20ambitious%20Energy%20Superhub%20Oxford%20plans%0AA%20new%20electric%20vehicle%20(EV)%20charging%20hub%20that%20has%20been%20hailed%20as%20Europe's%20%22most%20powerful%22%20to%20date%20will%20today%20officially%20open%20at%20a%20site%20in%20Oxford%2C%20providing%20fast%20and%20ultra-rapid%20charging%20capacity%20for%20up%20to%2042%20vehicles%20simultaneously.%20%0A%0AThe%20opening%20marks%20the%20completion%20of%20the%20Oxford%20Energy%20Super%20Hub%2C%20which%20combines%20battery%2C%20renewables%2C%20and%20EV%20charging%20infrastructure%20that%20can%20provide%20both%20rapid%20charge%20points%20and%20grid%20balancing%20services.%0A%0AThe%20project%20has%20been%20developed%20EDF%20Renewables'%20subsidiary%20Pivot%20Power%2C%20charge%20point%20technology%20specialists%20Fastned%2C%20Tesla%20Superchargers%2C%20and%20Wenea%2C%20and%20Oxford%20City%20Council.%0A%0AFastned%20has%20initially%20installed%2010%20charging%20bays%20at%20the%20Superhub%20with%20300kW%20of%20power%20available%2C%20capable%20of%20adding%20300%20miles%20of%20range%20in%20just%2020%20minutes%20for%20hundreds%20of%20EVs%20per%20day.%20Meanwhile%2C%20Wenea%20has%20deployed%2020%207-22kW%20charging%20bays%20and%20a%20further%2012%20250kW%20Tesla%20Superchargers%20will%20be%20available%20for%20Tesla%20owners.%20Work%20to%20install%20Wenea's%20EV%20charging%20stations%20was%20carried%20out%20by%20ODS%20-%20a%20wholly%20owned%20subsidiary%20of%20Oxford%20City%20Council.%0A%0ASignificantly%2C%20the%20project%20features%2010MW%20of%20installed%20capacity%20on%20site%2C%20meaning%20the%20hub%20can%20scale%20up%20to%20provide%20charging%20for%20400%20vehicles%20as%20the%20UK%20fleet%20continues%20to%20transition%20towards%20plug-in%20models.%0A%0AThe%20site%2C%20which%20is%20located%20at%20Oxford's%20Redbridge%20Park%20and%20Ride%2C%20will%20also%20be%20powered%20entirely%20by%20renewable%20energy.%0A%0AThe%20project%20was%20today%20welcomed%20by%20Transport%20Minister%2C%20Trudy%20Harrison%2C%20who%20said%20the%20project%20was%20the%20latest%20milestone%20in%20the%20UK's%20plans%20to%20rapidly%20expand%20its%20EV%20charging%20network.%20%22Both%20the%20government%20and%20industry%2C%20working%20together%2C%20are%20investing%20billions%20in%20projects%20like%20this%20to%20help%20provide%20the%20infrastructure%20to%20support%20the%20UK's%20electric%20revolution%20and%20soaring%20EV%20sales%2C%22%20she%20said.%20%22This%20in%20turn%20will%20help%20us%20decarbonise%20transport%2C%20create%20high-skilled%20jobs%2C%20and%20provide%20cleaner%20air%20across%20the%20UK.%22%0A%0AThe%20opening%20of%20the%20charging%20hub%20comes%20on%20the%20same%20day%20as%20the%20activation%20of%20Energy%20Superhub%20Oxford's%20hybrid%20battery%20system%2C%20which%20has%20been%20developed%20by%20Pivot%20Power%20to%20store%20renewable%20energy%20at%20times%20of%20high%20supply%20and%20provide%20flexibility%20to%20the%20UK's%20grid.%0A%0AThe%20project%20combines%20a%202MW%2F5MWh%20vanadium%20flow%20battery%20from%20energy%20storage%20specialist%20Invinity%20Energy%20Systems%20with%20a%2050MW%2F50MWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20from%20technology%20company%20W%C3%A4rtsil%C3%A4%20that%20together%20deliver%20an%20innovative%20energy%20storage%20solution%20that%20can%20balance%20the%20intermittency%20of%20renewable%20energy%20on%20the%20grid.%0A%0AMatt%20Allen%2C%20CEO%20and%20Co-Founder%20of%20Pivot%20Power%2C%20said%20the%20charging%20and%20battery%20hubs%20provided%20a%20template%20for%20other%20cities%20to%20follow%20that%20could%20enable%20significant%20emissions%20reductions%20from%20urban%20centres.%20%22Urban%20decarbonisation%20is%20ground%20zero%20for%20the%20immediate%20emissions%20reductions%20needed%20to%20tackle%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%22%20he%20said.%20%22Energy%20Superhub%20Oxford%20provides%20a%20vision%20of%20the%20future%2C%20today.%20By%20delivering%20a%20world-leading%20project%20that%20cuts%20emissions%20across%20transport%2C%20power%20and%20heat%2C%20we%20are%20breaking%20new%20ground%20to%20help%20the%20UK%20reach%20net%20zero%20sooner.%22%0A%0APivot%20Power%20is%20now%20working%20on%20plans%20to%20expand%20its%20charging%20network%20to%20key%20locations%20throughout%20Oxford%20to%20help%20decarbonise%20public%20and%20private%20transport%2C%20taxis%20and%20commercial%20fleets%2C%20and%20providing%20infrastructure%20for%20the%20city's%20pilot%20Zero%20Emission%20Zone%20-%20a%20first-of-its-kind%20scheme%20that%20would%20apply%20fees%20to%20any%20non-electric%20vehicle%20entering%20a%20central%20zone.%0A%0AMeanwhile%2C%20a%20substation%20has%20already%20been%20installed%20at%20the%20Oxford%20Bus%20Company's%20Watlington%20Road%20depot%2C%20ready%20to%20support%20the%20company's%20plans%20to%20introduce%20over%20100%20electric%20buses%20in%20the%20coming%20two%20years.%0A%0APivot%20Power%20is%20planning%20to%20build%20up%20to%2040%20Energy%20Superhubs%20across%20the%20UK%2C%20with%20the%20next%20two%20projects%20already%20underway%20in%20Coventry%20and%20Sandwell%2C%20to%20the%20northwest%20of%20Birmingham.%20Once%20complete%2C%20the%20network%20could%20provide%20almost%2010%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20energy%20storage%20that%20the%20UK%20is%20predicted%20to%20require%20by%202035%2C%20the%20company%20said.

Europe's most powerful EV charging hub

Spain%20has%20signed%20a%20partnership%20agreement%20with%20Chinese%20green%20energy%20company%20Envision%20Group%20to%20embark%20on%20four%20projects%2C%20including%20a%20battery%20plant%20for%20electric%20cars%2C%20with%20%E2%82%AC3.8%20billion%20in%20total%20investment%2C%20partly%20funded%20by%20European%20Union%20aid.%0A%0AJose%20Dominguez%2C%20head%20of%20Envision%20Spain%2C%20was%20quoted%20in%20a%20statement%20from%20the%20Spanish%20government%20that%20the%20projects%20would%20be%20developed%20jointly%20with%20Spanish%20renewable%20power%20company%20Acciona%20Energia%2C%20but%20it%20did%20not%20say%20what%20its%20role%20would%20be.%0A%0AThe%20battery%20%22giga-factory%22%20in%20Navalmoral%20de%20la%20Mata%20in%20the%20central-western%20region%20of%20Extremadura%2C%20will%20require%20%E2%82%AC2.5%20billion%20in%20investment%20and%20could%20create%20as%20many%20as%203%2C000%20jobs%2C%20the%20statement%20said.%0A%0AExtramadura%20is%20one%20of%20Spain's%20poorest%20regions%2C%20where%20there%20are%20also%20large%20reserves%20of%20lithium.%0A%0AIt%20would%20be%20second%20electric%20car%20battery%20project%20in%20Spain%20-%20Europe's%20second-largest%20car%20producer.%0A%0AGerman%20carmaker%20Volkswagen%20AG%20has%20said%20it%20and%20its%20and%20partners%20would%20invest%20%E2%82%AC10%20billion%20to%20make%20electric%20vehicles%20and%20batteries%20in%20Spain.%20%20%0A%0AVolkswagen%20aims%20to%20start%20building%20the%2040-gigawatt-hour%20(GWh)%20plant%20in%20Sagunto%20near%20Valencia%2C%20which%20requires%203%20billion%20euros%20in%20investment%2C%20in%20the%20first%20quarter%20of%202023%2C%20with%20serial%20production%20to%20start%20by%202026.%0A%0AThe%20Envision%20partnership%20agreement%20also%20includes%20a%20renewable%20hydrogen%20plant%20costing%20up%20to%20%E2%82%AC900%20million%20which%20will%20provide%20energy%20for%20a%20net%20zero%20emissions%20project%2C%20as%20will%20a%20wind%20energy%20park%20with%20a%20turbine%20assembly%20plant.%0A%0AThey%20will%20be%20built%20in%20the%20small%20towns%20of%20Alcazar%20de%20San%20Juan%20and%20Navas%20del%20Marques%20in%20central%20Spain.%0A%0AA%20digital%20products%20development%20centre%20for%20development%20and%20innovation%20in%20the%20digitisation%20of%20renewable%20energy%20systems%20worth%20%E2%82%AC300%20million%20is%20also%20planned.%20As%20well%20as%20a%20green%20hydrogen%20generation%20plant%20for%20the%20manufacture%20of%20electrolysers%20and%20a%20wind%20power%20generation%20and%20smart%20wind%20turbine%20assembly%20plant%0A%0ASpain%20will%20help%20to%20fund%20the%20investment%20with%20European%20Union%20pandemic%20relief%20funds%2C%20the%20government%20said%2C%20pointing%20out%20that%20it%20will%20not%20only%20promote%20energy%20transition%20but%20also%20support%20small%20municipalities%20suffering%20from%20depopulation.

China to build EV battery 'giga-factory' in Spain

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Amazon touts €1bn investment in EVs in Europe

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Oslo public transport to be all electric by 2023

Innovated%20by%20researchers%20at%20the%20Illinois%20Institute%20of%20Technology%20(IIT)%20and%20the%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Energy%E2%80%99s%20(DOE)%20Argonne%20National%20Laboratory%2C%20the%20lithium-air%20battery%20will%20potentially%20represent%20a%20significant%20milestone%20for%20electric%20cars%2C%20which%20have%20come%20under%20scrutiny%20due%20to%20their%20limited%20driving%20range.%0A%0AThe%20novel%20lithium-air%20battery%20promises%20to%20advance%20electric%20car%20range%20capabilities%2C%20helping%20to%20reduce%20range%20anxiety%20among%20users.%20The%20battery%20may%20also%20be%20employed%20to%20power%20domestic%20aeroplanes%20and%20long-haul%20trucks%20in%20the%20future.%0A%0ALarry%20Curtiss%2C%20an%20Argonne%20Distinguished%20Fellow%2C%20explained%3A%20%E2%80%9CFor%20over%20a%20decade%2C%20scientists%20at%20Argonne%20and%20elsewhere%20have%20been%20working%20overtime%20to%20develop%20a%20lithium%20battery%20that%20makes%20use%20of%20the%20oxygen%20in%20the%20air.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20lithium-air%20battery%20has%20the%20highest%20projected%20energy%20density%20of%20any%20battery%20technology%20being%20considered%20for%20the%20next%20generation%20of%20batteries%20beyond%20lithium-ion.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AElectric%20car%20range%20needs%20to%20improve%20to%20achieve%20green%20goals%0AThe%20amount%20of%20electric%20cars%20is%20set%20to%20increase%20drastically%20over%20the%20next%20decade%2C%20as%20countries%20such%20as%20the%20US%20and%20UK%20have%20prohibited%20the%20sales%20of%20new%20petrol%20and%20diesel%20cars%20from%202035.%0A%0AThis%20legislation%20is%20essential%20and%20represents%20a%20major%20step%20toward%20decarbonising%20the%20environment.%20However%2C%20for%20all%20their%20environmentally-harmful%20qualities%2C%20traditional%20combustion-engine%20powered%20vehicles%20boast%20on%20considerable%20advantage%20over%20their%20electrified%20successors%2C%20which%20is%20a%20larger%20driving%20range.%0A%0AResearch%20from%20Drive%20Electric%20states%20that%20today%E2%80%99s%20average%20electric%20car%20range%20is%20between%20150-300%20miles%20on%20a%20full%20charge.%20This%20means%20that%20for%20longer%20journeys%20%E2%80%93%20journeys%20that%20millions%20worldwide%20perform%20daily%20%E2%80%93%20current%20electric%20car%20range%20capabilities%20are%20insufficient.%0A%0AThis%20can%20cause%20a%20knock-on%20effect%20that%20impacts%20the%20uptake%20of%20electric%20cars.%20Poor%20driving%20range%20can%20lead%20to%20range%20anxiety%20%E2%80%93%20where%20users%20fear%20their%20electric%20car%20is%20not%20charged%20enough%20to%20reach%20their%20destination%2C%20leaving%20them%20stranded.%20This%20can%20stop%20some%20people%20from%20purchasing%20an%20electric%20car%20due%20to%20this%20concern.%0A%0AThe%20evolution%20of%20the%20lithium-air%20battery%0AIn%20previous%20iterations%20of%20the%20lithium-air%20battery%2C%20the%20lithium%20in%20a%20lithium%20metal%20anode%20moves%20through%20a%20liquid%20electrolyte%20to%20combine%20with%20oxygen%20during%20the%20discharge%2C%20producing%20lithium%20peroxide%20(Li2O2)%20or%20superoxide%20(LiO2)%20at%20the%20cathode.%0A%0AThese%20are%20then%20broken%20down%20back%20down%20into%20lithium%20and%20oxygen%20components%20during%20charging%20%E2%80%93%20a%20chemical%20sequence%20that%20releases%20energy%20on%20demand.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20the%20team%E2%80%99s%20new%20lithium-air%20battery%20boasts%20a%20solid%20electrolyte%20comprised%20of%20a%20ceramic%20polymer%20material%20that%20enables%20chemical%20reactions%20that%20produce%20lithium%20oxide%20(Li2O)%20on%20discharge.%0A%0ARachid%20Amine%2C%20an%20Argonne%20chemist%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20chemical%20reaction%20for%20lithium%20superoxide%20or%20peroxide%20only%20involves%20one%20or%20two%20electrons%20stored%20per%20oxygen%20molecule%2C%20whereas%20that%20for%20lithium%20oxide%20involves%20four%20electrons.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThis%20is%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20lithium-air%20battery%20to%20achieve%20a%20four-electron%20reaction%20at%20room%20temperature.%20Moreover%2C%20the%20battery%20operates%20with%20oxygen%20from%20the%20surrounding%20environment%2C%20removing%20the%20need%20for%20oxygen%20tanks%20to%20operate%2C%20which%20was%20a%20major%20limitation%20of%20the%20technology.%0A%0AHow%20did%20the%20new%20battery%20perform%3F%0AThe%20researchers%20performed%20a%20range%20of%20tests%20to%20prove%20that%20a%20four-electron%20reaction%20was%20occurring%2C%20such%20as%20using%20transmission%20electron%20microscopy%20(TEM)%20o%20the%20discharge%20products%20on%20the%20cathode%20surface.%20TEM%20reveals%20insights%20into%20the%20four-electron%20discharge%20mechanism.%0A%0AThe%20team%20also%20discovered%20that%20the%20new%20battery%20does%20not%20suffer%20from%20the%20short%20life%20cycle%20of%20previous%20lithium-air%20batteries%2C%20with%20a%20test%20cell%20displaying%20its%20performance%20for%201000%20cycles%20and%20excellent%20stability%20throughout%20repeated%20charge%20and%20discharge.%0A%0AFurthermore%2C%20due%20to%20its%20solid%20electrolyte%2C%20instead%20of%20the%20liquid%20electrolytes%20used%20in%20lithium-ion%20and%20other%20battery%20types%2C%20the%20lithium-air%20battery%20does%20not%20suffer%20from%20the%20safety%20issue%20of%20the%20liquid%20electrolyte%20catching%20fire.%0A%0APossessing%20a%20significant%20energy%20density%20increase%20compared%20to%20lithium-ion%20batteries%2C%20the%20team%E2%80%99s%20lithium-air%20battery%20may%20potentially%20solve%20electric%20car%20range%20challenges.%0A%0ACurtiss%20concluded%3A%20%E2%80%9CWith%20further%20development%2C%20we%20expect%20our%20new%20design%20for%20the%20lithium-air%20battery%20to%20also%20reach%20a%20record%20energy%20density%20of%201200%20watt-hours%20per%20kilogramme.%20That%20is%20nearly%20four%20times%20better%20than%20lithium-ion%20batteries.%E2%80%9D

A revolutionary lithium-air battery by US

Electric%20ferries%20and%20vehicles%20could%20soon%20be%20charged%20wirelessly%20after%20an%20exciting%20technological%20breakthrough.%20Until%20now%2C%20inductive%20charging%20-%20where%20there%E2%80%99s%20no%20contact%20between%20the%20device%20and%20conductor%20-%20has%20been%20unable%20to%20deliver%20the%20high%20power%20that%20electric%20vehicle%20batteries%20need.%20The%20method%20has%20only%20worked%20for%20small%20devices%2C%20like%20electric%20toothbrushes%20and%20some%20mobile%20phones.%0A%0ABut%20new%20components%20have%20enabled%20scientists%20at%20a%20Swedish%20university%20to%20show%20that%20the%20recharging%20of%20urban%20ferries%20and%20city%20buses%20is%20possible%20without%20human%20or%20robotic%20hands.%0A%0AIt%E2%80%99s%20a%20vital%20step%20for%20the%20electrification%20of%20our%20transport%20systems%2C%20says%20the%20man%20who%20has%20put%20the%20pieces%20together.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CYou%20can%20have%20a%20system%20built%20into%20the%20wharf%20that%20charges%20the%20ferry%20at%20some%20stops%20while%20passengers%20get%20on%20and%20off%2C%E2%80%9D%20explains%20Professor%20Liu%2C%20professor%20of%20electric%20power%20engineering%20at%20Chalmers%20University%20of%20Technology%20in%20Gothenburg.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAutomatic%20and%20completely%20independent%20of%20weather%20and%20wind%2C%20charging%20can%20take%20place%2030-40%20times%20per%20day.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThis%20is%20the%20most%20obvious%20application%20Liu%20sees%20for%20the%20inductive%20power%20transfer%20technology%2C%20which%20would%20help%20to%20speed%20up%20the%20phasing%20out%20of%20polluting%20diesel%20boats.%0A%0AWhat%20are%20the%20new%20components%20behind%20the%20breakthrough%3F%0A%0AA%20copper%20wire%20as%20thin%20as%20a%20human%20hair%20is%20one%20of%20the%20new%20materials%20that%20makes%20transmitting%20high%20power%20through%20air%20a%20realistic%20proposition.%0A%0AThe%20other%20is%20a%20new%20type%20of%20silicon%20carbide%20semiconductor.%20Silicon%20has%20long%20been%20used%20in%20electrical%20devices%20(like%20computer%20chips)%20due%20to%20its%20naturally%20semiconducting%20properties%3B%20with%20a%20higher%20electrical%20resistance%20than%20an%20insulator%2C%20but%20less%20than%20a%20conductor%2C%20the%20non-metal%20element%20controls%20the%20current%20by%20allowing%20electrons%20to%20flow%20when%20a%20particular%20voltage%20is%20applied.%0A%0ASilicon%20carbide%20is%20a%20compound%20where%20carbon%20is%20bound%20to%20the%20silicon.%20As%20a%20power%20source%20for%20electrical%20products%2C%20it's%20only%20been%20on%20the%20market%20for%20a%20few%20years%2C%20explains%20Liu.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CA%20key%20factor%20is%20that%20we%20now%20have%20access%20to%20high-power%20semiconductors%20based%20on%20silicon%20carbide%2C%20known%20as%20%E2%80%98SiC%20components%E2%80%99%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20says.%20%E2%80%9CThey%20allow%20us%20to%20use%20higher%20voltages%2C%20higher%20temperatures%20and%20much%20higher%20switching%20frequencies%2C%20compared%20to%20traditional%20silicon-based%20components.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AHow%20does%20induction%20charging%20work%3F%0A%0ATo%20understand%20what%20this%20has%20got%20to%20do%20with%20boosting%20an%20electric%20bus%20or%20ferry%2C%20we%20need%20to%20grasp%20the%20basics%20of%20induction%20charging.%0A%0ACharging%20by%20induction%20means%20that%20the%20current%20can%20hop%20across%20a%20short%20distance%3B%20through%20air%2C%20water%2C%20and%20other%20non-metallic%20materials%20-%20without%20any%20contact%20or%20a%20conductor.%0A%0AOur%20homes%20are%20full%20of%20examples.%20In%20induction%20cookers%2C%20a%20high-frequency%20alternating%20current%20passes%20through%20a%20metal%20coil%20to%20produce%20an%20oscillating%20magnetic%20field.%20This%20penetrates%20the%20metal%20of%20a%20cooking%20pan%2C%20inducing%20a%20current%20in%20it%20that%20heats%20your%20food%20up.%0A%0AOr%20head%20to%20the%20bathroom%3B%20electric%20toothbrushes%20have%20one%20coil%20in%20their%20bottom%20and%20a%20second%20in%20the%20charging%20base.%20When%20plugged%20into%20the%20mains%2C%20the%20current%20inside%20the%20charging%20coil%20creates%20a%20changing%20magnetic%20field%20that%20makes%20a%20current%20flow%20inside%20the%20toothbrush%20coil%20without%20the%20two%20touching.%0A%0AFor%20charging%20electric%20vehicles%2C%20the%20aim%20isn%E2%80%99t%20heat%20development%20(or%20making%20your%20teeth%20shiny).%20Inductive%20charging%20sends%20energy%20to%20the%20coil%20on%20board%20the%20vehicle%20via%20the%20magnetic%20field.%20The%20coil%20converts%20it%20into%20alternating%20current%2C%20then%20back%20into%20direct%20current%20to%20recharge%20the%20batteries.%0A%0AWhy%20is%20wireless%20charging%20of%20big%20electric%20vehicles%20now%20possible%3F%0A%0AThe%20fact%20that%20SiC%20components%20can%20operate%20at%20higher%20frequencies%20is%20key%2C%20because%20it%E2%80%99s%20the%20frequency%20of%20the%20magnetic%20field%20that%20limits%20how%20much%20power%20can%20be%20transferred%20between%20two%20coils%20of%20a%20given%20size.%0A%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Electric vehicles could soon be charged wirelessly

The%20global%20uptake%20of%20electric%20vehicles%20(EVs)%20will%20be%20essential%20to%20decarbonising%20the%20transport%20sector%20and%20achieving%20net%20zero%20targets.%20However%2C%20a%20current%20limitation%20of%20the%20technology%20is%20their%20insufficient%20driving%20range%20and%20the%20short%20lifespan%20of%20their%20batteries.%20Scientists%20have%20potentially%20developed%20a%20revolutionary%20solution%20to%20these%20issues%2C%20designing%20a%20polymer%20coating%20called%20HOS-PFM%20that%20enhances%20electric%20vehicle%20battery%20power%20and%20lifespan.%0A%0AGao%20Liu%2C%20a%20senior%20scientist%20in%20Berkeley%20Lab%E2%80%99s%20Energy%20Technologies%20Area%2C%20explained%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20advance%20opens%20up%20a%20new%20approach%20to%20developing%20EV%20batteries%20that%20are%20more%20affordable%20and%20easy%20to%20manufacture.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20research%2C%20%E2%80%98Formation%20of%20hierarchically%20ordered%20structures%20in%20conductive%20polymers%20to%20enhance%20the%20performances%20of%20lithium-ion%20batteries%2C%E2%80%99%20may%20represent%20a%20significant%20milestone%20in%20e-mobility.%0A%0AElectric%20car%20battery%20design%20must%20be%20advanced%0AThe%20demand%20for%20electric%20cars%20is%20growing%20considerably%20each%20year%2C%20as%20major%20nations%20in%20the%20automotive%20space%2C%20such%20as%20the%20UK%20and%20US%2C%20have%20outlawed%20the%20sale%20of%20new%20petrol%20and%20diesel-power%20vehicles%20from%202035.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20for%20EVs%20to%20be%20fully%20embraced%20by%20motorists%20around%20the%20world%2C%20various%20aspects%20of%20the%20technology%20will%20need%20to%20improve%2C%20including%20charging%20infrastructure%2C%20range%20capabilities%2C%20and%20electric%20car%20battery%20life.%0A%0ACurrently%2C%20the%20average%20driving%20range%20of%20an%20electric%20car%20is%20between%20150-300%20miles%20on%20a%20full%20charge%2C%20and%20the%20average%20life%20expectancy%20is%20around%2015%20to%2020%20years.%20These%20capabilities%20fall%20short%20of%20conventional%20cars%20and%20will%20need%20to%20improve%20in%20the%20coming%20years%20to%20drive%20the%20transition%20to%20electrified%20transport.%0A%0AHow%20does%20the%20new%20polymer%20coating%20work%3F%0AThe%20HOS-PFM%20polymer%20coating%20works%20by%20conducting%20electrons%20and%20ions%20simultaneously%2C%20which%20ensures%20electric%20car%20battery%20stability%20and%20high%20charge%2Fdischarge%20rates%20while%20boosting%20battery%20life.%0A%0AHOS-PFM%20has%20also%20demonstrated%20potential%20as%20a%20battery%20adhesive%20that%20could%20potentially%20increase%20lithium-ion%20battery%20lifetime%20for%20between%20ten%20to%2015%20years.%0A%0AThe%20team%20showed%20HOS-PFM%E2%80%99s%20exceptional%20conductive%20and%20adhesive%20properties%20by%20coating%20aluminium%20and%20silicon%20electrodes%20with%20the%20polymer%20coating%20%E2%80%93%20testing%20their%20performance%20on%20a%20lithium-ion%20battery%20set-up.%0A%0AAluminium%20and%20silicon%20are%20promising%20lithium-ion%20battery%20electrode%20materials%20due%20to%20their%20high%20energy%20storage%20capacity%2C%20abundance%2C%20lightweight%20and%20low%20cost.%20However%2C%20these%20materials%20break%20down%20after%20multiple%20charge%2Fdischarge%20cycles.%0A%0AThe%20team%E2%80%99s%20experiment%20showed%20that%20HOS-PFM%20prevents%20degradation%20in%20silicon-%20and%20aluminium-based%20electrodes%20during%20battery%20cycling.%20Simultaneously%2C%20the%20coating%20produced%20a%20high%20battery%20capacity%20of%20over%20300%20cycles%20%E2%80%93%20which%20is%20comparable%20to%20the%20performance%20of%20current%20state-of-the-art%20electrodes.%0A%0ALiu%20concluded%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20results%20are%20impressive%20because%20silicon-based%20lithium-ion%20cells%20typically%20last%20for%20a%20limited%20number%20of%20charge%2Fdischarge%20cycles%20and%20calendar%20life.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20HOS-PFM%20coating%20could%20allow%20the%20use%20of%20electrodes%20containing%20as%20much%20as%2080%25%20silicon.%20Such%20high%20silicon%20content%20could%20increase%20the%20energy%20density%20of%20lithium-ion%20batteries%20by%20at%20least%2030%25.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBecause%20silicon%20is%20cheaper%20than%20graphite%2C%20the%20standard%20material%20for%20electrodes%20today%2C%20cheaper%20batteries%20could%20significantly%20increase%20the%20availability%20of%20entry-level%20electric%20vehicles.%E2%80%9D

Electric car battery life extended

A%20UK%20startup%20is%20close%20to%20full-scale%20commercial%20production%20of%20solar%20trees%20that%20serve%20as%20clean%20energy%20charging%20stations%20for%20electric%20cars%2C%20according%20to%20the%20company%E2%80%99s%20chief%20executive.%0A%0ASolarBotanic%20Trees%2C%20which%20was%20founded%20last%20year%2C%20is%20developing%20two%20different%20sized%20versions%20of%20the%20tree%2C%20one%205.5%20metres%20tall%20tree%20and%20another%203.5%20metres%20tall%2C%20with%20the%20first%20installations%20planned%20for%20early%20next%20year%20in%20Oxford.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20idea%20is%20to%20put%20solar%20panels%20on%20a%20domed%20surface%20like%20the%20canopy%20of%20a%20tree%2C%20and%20then%20place%20a%20battery%20storage%20system%20into%20the%20trunk%2C%E2%80%9D%20Chris%20Shelley%2C%20CEO%20of%20SolarBotanic%2C%20told%20The%20Independent.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CPutting%20solar%20cells%20and%20batteries%20into%20the%20same%20structure%20is%20very%20practical%2C%20as%20it%20allows%20them%20to%20store%20excess%20energy%20without%20having%20to%20solely%20rely%20on%20its%20backup%20grid%20supply.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20number%20of%20electric%20vehicle%20(EV)%20charging%20stations%20in%20the%20UK%20has%20risen%20by%20more%20than%20a%20third%20over%20the%20last%20year%20in%20an%20effort%20to%20keep%20up%20with%20growing%20demand.%0A%0AThere%20are%20now%20more%20than%2025%2C000%20locations%20as%20of%20May%202023%2C%20according%20to%20EV%20mapping%20service%20Zapmap%2C%20though%20this%20is%20still%20well%20short%20of%20the%20325%2C000%20charging%20points%20that%20the%20UK%E2%80%99s%20Climate%20Change%20Committee%20claims%20will%20be%20necessary%20by%202032.%0A%0ASolarBotanic%20already%20has%20deals%20in%20place%20with%20EV%20infrastructure%20suppliers%20to%20build%20trees%20for%20several%20sites%20in%20the%20UK%2C%20Mr%20Shelley%20said%2C%20including%20an%20order%20of%20200%20trees%20from%20the%20Raw%20Charging%20Group.%0A%0AThe%20initial%20idea%20was%20to%20create%20a%20structure%20capable%20of%20harvesting%20both%20solar%20and%20wind%20energy%2C%20using%20photovoltaic%20leaves%20that%20flutter%20in%20the%20wind%20to%20generate%20additional%20power.%0A%0APreliminary%20research%20found%20that%20wind%20harvesting%20via%20this%20method%20is%20not%20sufficiently%20advanced%20at%20present%20to%20be%20commercially%20viable%20in%20the%20near%20term%2C%20however%20it%20remains%20a%20prospect%20fot%20the%20future.%0A%0AFor%20now%2C%20SolarBotanic%E2%80%99s%20focus%20is%20on%20entering%20production%20later%20this%20year%20in%20order%20to%20deliver%20the%20solar%20trees%20to%20UK%20customers%20at%20the%20start%20of%202024.%0A%0AFrom%20there%2C%20the%20company%20plans%20to%20enter%20other%20markets%2C%20including%20Europe%20and%20the%20US%2C%20as%20well%20as%20develop%20customisable%20structures%20to%20suit%20other%20applications.%0A%0AThese%20include%20large%20trees%20with%20integrated%20seating%20underneath%20to%20be%20used%20in%20town%20squares%20or%20pub%20gardens%2C%20with%20people%20able%20to%20charge%20their%20phones%20or%20even%20warm%20themselves%20up%20from%20inbuilt%20infrared%20heating%20fixtures.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThere%20are%20quite%20alot%20of%20variations%20on%20the%20core%20theme%2C%E2%80%9D%20Mr%20Shelley%20said.%20%E2%80%9COffgrid%20versions%20that%20don%E2%80%99t%20need%20to%20meet%20the%20electricity%20demands%20of%20an%20electric%20vehicle%20could%20serve%20as%20work%20or%20social%20areas%20in%20town%20squares%20with%20telephone%20and%20laptop%20charging%2C%20seating%20and%20shelter.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBeyond%20commercial%20and%20municipal%20uses%2C%20the%20trees%20could%20go%20in%20people%E2%80%99s%20gardens%20to%20supplement%20rooftop%20solar%20panel%20setups%2C%20or%20several%20of%20them%20could%20even%20meet%20the%20annual%20electrical%20requirement%20of%20a%20medium-sized%20house.%E2%80%9D

Solar trees could soon be charging your car

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New EU legislation for EV charging

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UK hits 50000 electric vehicle charge points

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