It could be seen as a chemistry worth overlooking for those with a narrow focus on energy density, as this misleading metric can seem low. ![]() Rather than using carbon, LTO utilizes nanocrystals on the surface of its anode, giving it its well-known fast-charging and fire-resistance attributes. The Tosa concept electric bus also makes use of this chemistry. Long used in military and industrial applications, today, lithium-titanate (LTO) batteries are leveraged in some Japanese market versions of Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV electric vehicle, and Honda’s EV-neo electric bike and Fit EV electric vehicle. To unlock the economic potential of micro mobility, the industry has the opportunity to re-evaluate a tried and true chemistry: lithium-titanate. Yet, energy density has only mattered with these chemistries, because manufacturers have fallen into a rut of dependency on the status quo and failed to apply creativity to optimize other chemistries better suited for micro mobility applications. While mobile phones and automobiles have driven the current development of conventional lithium-ion batteries (such as those containing nickel, manganese, aluminum, or cobalt oxides), many people think these chemistries must also be a good fit for other applications. Thus, energy density has become the crutch by which industry professionals judge all battery chemistries regardless of other factors. These form factors necessitate maximizing energy capacity, because making each item larger would require complete redesigns of the respective products. With phones and automobiles, it’s easy to understand why energy density is such a critical metric. When you add in the concept of fast charging, the amount of energy a battery can hold matters even less. For example, without constantly measuring the charging and discharging rate (C-rate), it’s nearly impossible to determine a battery’s actual energy density, primarily as it performs alongside other operating and environmental factors. Temperature, discharge rate, depth of discharge, cycle efficiency, and many other factors drastically affect the battery’s energy. However, energy density is one of the least static metrics used to measure energy capacity stored in a battery system. The thinking goes, the higher the energy density of a battery, the better, as it can offer more power and range before needing a recharge. Only after these criteria are met does energy density (the most commonly sought-after and misunderstood metric of a battery’s attributes) become a consideration, if at all.Įnergy density is the amount of power per unit of volume in a defined space. It needs the ability to charge rapidly without damaging the battery or cutting into cycle life, as well as catching on fire. To succeed in curbing the carbon emissions within our city centers, battery chemistry is required that’s so well proven the military uses it. Initially developed and scaled for either phones or automobiles, these types of batteries were not well adapted to micro mobility applications. ![]() Meanwhile, spontaneous battery fires present a safety and PR nightmare.Ĭonventional lithium-ion chemistries such as nickel, manganese, aluminum, or cobalt oxides can create problems. Long charge times and regular battery replacements cut into operational costs and thin profit margins in commercial applications. This long-lasting battery chemistry eliminates the need to try and figure out painstaking recycling programs. This is a significant upgrade for the sustainability of micro mobility batteries and will decrease the population of battery graveyards. Lithium-titanate batteries also provide the benefit of lasting 20-plus years. In 2021, New York City alone reported more than 80 fires linked to electric bikes and their batteries. In addition to the vastly diminished charging times, lithium-titanate batteries provide riders the security of knowing that their e-bikes won’t catch on fire. Once e-bike riders experience the fast charging speeds of lithium-titanate batteries, they will not want to go back to waiting for one-third of the entire day to get their bikes fully powered again. Lithium-titanate chemistry can provide 20-minute charge times rather than six to eight hours of its lithium-ion counterpart. Once you taste the ever-increasing internet connection speeds, you never want to go back to slower connections. ![]() Remember dial-up internet service? How would you like to go back to waiting for minutes on end to connect to the internet? Short answer: you wouldn’t.
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