5 Wins for Clean Energy Innovation in Biden’s Budget
Originally published on the NRDC Expert Blog.
The Biden administration’s 2022 budget released on Friday includes major funding increases for important Department of Energy (DOE) programs to drive clean energy innovation, address the climate crisis, and build a strong and equitable economy. These funding increases complement the investments proposed in the President’s American Jobs Plan (AJP). Now it’s up to Congress to pass AJP and write a government funding bill that reflects the President’s proposals.
Below are five components of the budget that would accelerate clean energy innovation and redirect DOE programs toward our greatest challenges and opportunities.
1. Historic Funding Increases for Clean Energy
The budget includes $4.7 billion in regular-year funding for DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), a $2 billion (or 65%) increase from 2021. EERE houses the agency’s efforts focused on heavy industry, building decarbonization, clean transportation technologies, and renewable power. These programs are underfunded relative to the need for investment and the opportunity to build out domestic clean energy industries. The administration’s budget would give these programs a much-needed funding boost.
The budget also ramps up funding for other clean energy programs at DOE and establishes a new Advanced Research Projects Agency — Climate with initial funding of $500 million, of which $200 million is at DOE.
2. Demonstrations & Deployment to Round Out the Innovation Portfolio
The budget emphasizes funding for demonstration projects and deployment of climate solutions, a welcome pivot from the Trump DOE’s narrow focus on early-stage research and development. The new Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, funded at $400 million, fills a critical gap in DOE’s efforts to commercialize newer, better clean energy technologies, reduce costs, and address barriers to widespread deployment. The $300 million for Build Back Better Challenge grants will help bring the benefits of clean energy to more communities. And the focus throughout the budget on research, development, demonstrations, and deployment will better equip DOE to accelerate clean energy innovation at the scale necessary.
3. Bringing Clean Energy to More Communities
DOE should play a critical role ensuring that more communities see the benefits of technologies like renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electric vehicles. Strong community engagement practices and funding for clean energy projects to benefit low-income, pollution-burdened, and energy transition communities and communities of color can help DOE meet these goals.
The budget includes several new programs to bring clean energy to more communities. For example, it proposes to prioritize the new Build Back Better Challenge grants for marginalized, overburdened, and energy transition communities. It also appears to expand the Weatherization Assistance Program — one of the only existing efforts focused on low-income communities — to enable more households to access funding for cost- and energy-saving retrofits, though the details on the expanded program are not yet clear.
The budget also indicates that EERE’s goal is to accelerate a just, equitable clean energy transition. This explicit focus, while just a start, is an important shift. Historically, EERE and most other offices at DOE have not been designed to support equity and environmental and energy justice.
4. Procurement and Funding to Decarbonize Heavy Industry
Technologies to clean up industrial facilities like steel mills and cement plants are critical to addressing the climate crisis. But these sectors have long been a major gap in DOE innovation efforts. The budget acknowledges that decarbonizing heavy industry should be a focus for both EERE and the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. This focus is a great first step toward building out a strong federal industrial sector program. As Congress turns the President’s proposals into a detailed appropriations bill, we hope to see large funding increases for the Advanced Manufacturing Office, funding for large-scale demonstrations at industrial facilities, and support for DOE to expand its heavy industry efforts to include electrification, hydrogen, circular economy measures, novel processes, and carbon capture and storage.
The budget also includes more details on the industrial-sector decarbonization efforts proposed in the American Jobs Plan, including, notably, funding to procure low-carbon materials. The federal government is a top purchaser of industrial products like steel and cement for the construction of roads, bridges, buildings and other projects. Government procurement is thus a critical lever in creating early markets and sustained demand for cleaner materials, alongside direct investments to help ensure U.S. industry is making the cleanest products on the market.
To better leverage procurement to drive innovation, the federal government should support efforts to create a reporting system that helps manufacturers account for all the carbon associated with producing a range of industrial products, and require that all construction projects receiving federal funds take climate pollution and labor protection into account when awarding contracts. We urge Congress to include funding in the FY22 budget for the federal government to support these priorities. Doing so will ensure we capture the significant emissions reduction opportunities associated with switching to lower-carbon materials in projects funded by the American Jobs Plan.
5. Support for State, Local, and Tribal Governments
Action from states and municipal governments is critical to meeting our climate goals; increasing clean energy; and driving adoption of innovative technologies, policies, and business models. Federal funding is necessary to support states and cities in these endeavors, but current programs lack the budget to meaningfully support them.
The budget proposes several new programs to support states and cities, including Build Back Better Challenge grants for states and a new Local Government Energy Program. The success of these programs will depend on the details, but it is promising to see new efforts to support states and cities in the budget. Moreover, these programs build on the block grant funding proposed in the American Jobs Plan to provide an influx of support for states to advance clean energy, building electrification, and efficiency.
The budget also includes funding increases to support tribal nations to advance clean energy. Households on tribal lands lack access to electricity at extremely high rates and often face high costs to connect to the electricity grid. The budget proposes a six-fold increase in funding for the Office of Indian Energy (a $100 million increase) to support American Indian and Alaskan Native nations, including to help address energy access and energy poverty.
Federal clean energy programs have already helped foster a revolution in technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle batteries. Now, we have an opportunity to accelerate clean energy innovation to improve, demonstrate, and deploy the technologies and strategies we need to combat the climate crisis. With the right funding and policies, we can do so in a way that creates strong economic growth rooted in the industries of the future, addresses inequalities in our energy and economic systems, and cuts pollution in places that have borne the brunt of it in the past. President Biden’s energy budget is a major step toward realizing these goals, and Congress should pass a government funding bill that incorporates these proposals and brings the benefits of clean energy to communities across the country.
Solid-state EV batteries will be here before you know it, Mercedes-backed Farasis Energy claims. During a recent investor meeting, Farasis said it will begin delivering solid-state EV batteries by the end of 2025.
Farasis Energy will deliver solid-state EV batteries in 2025
The new battery tech, promising to unlock more driving range, faster charging, and longer life-spans, is finally moving from the lab to the real world.
Farasis Energy confirmed during the meeting, held on September 15, that its all-solid-state EV batteries are now entering pilot production and delivery. The company is building a 0.2 GWh pilot line for the new sulfide-based solid-state batteries, with deliveries set to begin by the end of 2025.
In a filing released the following day, viewed by IT Home, the company said it’s fully committed to bringing the new battery tech to market.
Farasis uses a high-nickel ternary cathode and a high-silicon anode, claiming an energy density of 400 to 500 Wh/kg.
The report said R&D has progressed “smoothly,” and the company plans to begin deliveries by the end of 2025. Initially, they will be delivered in small batches to select customers.
Meanwhile, Farasis’ second-gen sulfide-based all-solid-state EV batteries are moving past the tech development phase. The second-gen batteries have an energy density of 500 Wh/kg, which would be among the highest in the industry. It’s expected to roll out in 2026.
In 2027, the company plans to launch the third-generation, promising to unlock an energy density of over 500 Wh/kg.
The report claims that the semi-solid-state batteries only cost 5% to 10% more than liquid batteries, and Farasis expects shipments to ramp up significantly next year.
Just this year, Farasis Energy said it has secured new clients, including XPeng, GAC Group, and “a leading domestic new energy commercial vehicle client” for its core products, SPS (Super Pouch Solution) batteries, and semi-solid state batteries.
The company plans to expand overseas and into new segments, including humanoid robots. Farasis is already using all-solid-state batteries in humanoid robots and has sent samples to leading humanoid robot companies.
Mercedes-Benz bought a stake in Farasis Energy in 2020 to secure battery supply for its upcoming electric vehicles.
The news comes after Mercedes announced just last week that it drove an EQS, equipped with solid-state batteries, from Stuttgart, Germany, to Malmö, Sweden, covering 750 miles (1,205 km). Mercedes said the vehicle still had another 85 miles of range to go. US-based Factorial Energy supplied the battery cells.
Mercedes’ tech boss, Markus Schäfer, called solid-state batteries “a true gamechanger” for electric vehicles. Schäfer added the new battery tech “delivers not only in the lab but also on the road.”
Farasis Energy, Mercedes-Benz, and Factorial Energy are just a few of the companies racing to unlock the “holy grail” of EV batteries. Toyota, Volkswagen, Stellantis, and Honda, to name a few, are aiming to launch solid-state batteries by the end of the decade. BYD and CATL are reportedly aiming for around 2027.
Earlier this week, SK On said it plans to commercialize all-solid-state batteries by 2029, a year ahead of schedule.
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Environment
Bluetti power station + alternator charger bundles up to $1,000 off, Heybike Golden Fall e-bike sale offers $600+ savings, more
We’ve got plenty of Green Deals to help you enjoy far more in fall, headlined by Bluetti’s power station and alternator charger bundles for on-the-go backup support with exclusive pricing starting from $618. There’s also Heybike’s Golden Fall e-bike sale that you can jump on to travel around your town or beyond and enjoy the changing season – with deals starting from $999. We also have tools from EGO and Husqvarna, as well as some travel-friendly devices like portable water heaters, projectors, and ongoing sales waiting for you below. And don’t forget about all the hangover deals collected at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Jackery 72-hour sale that dropped the Explorer 2000 Plus 400W solar bundle to a new low, Velotric’s Ride into Fall e-bike Sale, and more.
Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
Bluetti’s power station and alternator charger bundles see up to $1,000 in savings with exclusive pricing from $618
As part of its ongoing Anniversary Power Week Sale, which we’ve touched on for the brand’s outdoor adventure solutions and the full lineup of exclusive Apex 300 deals, Bluetti also has a collection of alternator charger bundles with up to $1,000 in savings that are worth considering for our constant on-the-go readers. Leading the lineup, there is Bluetti’s new Apex 300 Portable Power Station bundled with an Alternator Charger 1 at $1,619.10 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5TOYS10F at checkout for an additional $180 in savings, beating out Amazon’s currently $1,799 pricing. This bundle would fetch 2,699 outside of discounts, with a higher $2,799 pricing at Amazon. Since its release at the top of August, this bundle has only been dropped between $2,099 and $1,799 outside of the exclusive savings on the series that is continuing with this sale. You’ll not only be getting $1,080 cut from the tag, but you’ll be getting the all-time lowest price we have tracked to date. Head below for the full lineup of discounted bundles.
Two quick notes on the deals we’re seeing during Bluetti’s Anniversary Power Week Sale. First, the exclusive code is only eligible on Apex 300 offers, with the full lineup of bundle options available in our original coverage here. Second, purchasing any of the alternator charger bundles below scores members 3x Bluetti Bucks, which can be used for various extra savings and other promotions.
Whether you’re just enjoying weekend getaways from home or committing to your van life, scoring these power stations with an alternator charger ensures continuous power, especially as you migrate to new destinations. With Bluetti’s Apex 300 power station and alternator charger 1 bundle you’ll be getting the brand’s largest starting setup amongst the bunch, with a 2,764.8Wh LiFePO4 capacity (that’s rated for a 17-year lifespan) that you can invest in over time to expand as high as 58kWh, which can seriously cover home backup needs too. The station dishes out a steady 3,840W stream of power through its 13 port options, surging up to 7,680W and will go higher up to 11.52kW with expanded setups.
Aside from the recharging you’ll get from the bundled alternator charger, there are other options to top off the station’s battery for added versatility, including passthrough charging when connected to a gas generator. Plugging it into any standard AC outlet can put it back to 80% capacity in 45 minutes after you’ve activated its Turbo mode, or you can also use your car’s auxiliary port (if you ever forget the alternator charger), as well as utilizing up to the max 2,400W solar input.
Bluetti’s Anniversary Sale alternator charger bundles:
- AC70 (768Wh) with charger 1: $618 (Reg. $1,198)
- Elite 100 V2 (1,024Wh) with charger 1: $699 (Reg. $1,199)
- Pioneer 150/AC240 (1,536Wh) with charger 1: $699 (Reg. $1,899)
- AC180 (1,152Wh) with charger 1: $749 (Reg. $999)
- AC200L (2,048Wh) with charger 1: $1,148 (Reg. $1,999)
- Elite 200 V2 (2,073.6Wh) with charger 1: $1,248 (Reg. $1,999)
- Apex 300 (2,764.8Wh) with charger 1: $1,619.10 (Reg. $2,699)
- use exclusive code 9TO5TOYS10F at checkout
- Apex 300 (2,764.8Wh) with charger 1 and Hub D1: $1,842.30 (Reg. $2,997)
- use exclusive code 9TO5TOYS10F at checkout
As I mentioned, we also have some spotlight coverage of Bluetti’s current power station deals and solar generator bundles to power your outdoor adventures – some of which are at new lows – starting from $369. We also have the full lineup of exclusive new lows on the Apex 300 station and its many bundle options starting from $1,529.
Heybike kickstarts the season with its Golden Fall Sale and up to $600 e-bike discounts with FREE gear starting from $999
Heybike has launched its Golden Fall Sale through September 28, which is offering up to $600 off e-bikes on top of the free bundled gear some models receive. Of course, the ride with the most options these days is Heybike’s Mars 2.0 Folding e-bike that starts from $999 shipped, with varying upgraded motor and extra battery bundle options, as well as its new Mars 3.0 Folding e-bike that recently hit the scene. The standard model carries a $1,499 MSRP, though with the frequency of sales from the brand, we often see it dropped down between $1,099 and $999, with occasional falls lower to $899 in short-term flash sales. During this seasonal event, you can hop aboard your own with a $500 discount (and that’s not even counting the bundled front and rear cargo baskets) that provides the second-lowest price we have tracked. Head below for more info on this model, as well as its upgrades/bundles, and the rest of the sale’s lineup.
If you want to learn about the varying capabilities of these Mars e-bikes, or check out the full lineup of deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.
This 56V 15-inch EGO cordless string trimmer comes with a POWERLOAD head for easier line replacement at $254
Amazon is offering the EGO Power+ 56V 15-inch Cordless POWERLOAD String Trimmer with 4.0Ah battery for $254.15 shipped. This model usually fetches $299 with no discounts and hasn’t been seeing that many over the year either. The ones we have seen have mostly kept costs above $269, with a short-term fall to $239 in June and the deal we’re seeing today. While it’s not the lowest we’ve tracked in its history, you are still looking at the second-best price of the year with the $45 savings that’s been cut from the tag.
If you want to learn more about this string trimmer, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Get more versatility with Husqvarna’s 330iKE Combi Switch bundled with a lawn edger attachment at $324
Amazon is offering the Husqvarna 330iKE Combi Switch and Lawn Edger Attachment for $324.52 shipped. It’s coming down from its $419 price tag here, with the discounts we’ve been seeing since March having only dropped costs as low as $336. You’re looking at a 23% markdown here while the savings last that cut $94 off the tag for the best price we have tracked in the last 6 1/2 months.
If you want to learn more about this versatile system, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Get hot water on demand anywhere with Camplux’s Nano 3 Pro portable heater and shower at $340
Looking in on Camplux’s official Amazon storefront, you’ll currently find the brand’s Nano 3 Pro Portable Water Heater and Camping Shower at $339.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page 15% off coupon, and you’ll also be eligible for a FREE dual-fuel portable stove (which you’ll find under the “Benefit items” option to the left side of the page). Fetching $400 without discounts, we saw savings regularly keeping this model between $360 and $342 for most of 2025, though there were two previous falls to this rate in March and April, as well as a drop to its $320 low during July’s Prime Day event. You can pick it up here with $60 slashed from the tag, landing it at the second-lowest price we have tracked. Head below for more on this model and its upgraded counterparts.
If you want to learn more about this handy water heating solution, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Stream on up to a 120-inch 1080p screen anywhere with Anker’s Nebula Capsule 3 Google TV projector at $380
Through the official Anker Amazon storefront, you can pick up the brand’s Nebula Capsule 3 GTV Outdoor Projector for $379.99 shipped. You’d have to shell out $530 for this model at full price, which has been frequently bouncing between $400 and $380 over 2025, save for the one-time $360 Prime Day low back in July. Aside from that one-off deal, you’ll be getting it here at the next-best price with $150 cut from the tag, making it a great chance to add it to your travel kits, camping gear, and more. There’s also the option to grab the more advanced laser projector variant at $579.98 shipped, down from $750.
If you want to learn more about this projector, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Best Fall EV deals!
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (camo) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $3,048 (Reg. $3,298)
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (sage or fig) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $2,948 (Reg. $3,298)
- Aventon Ramblas Electric Mountain Bike: $2,599 (Reg. $2,899)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive Gates Belt CVT e-bike: $2,595 (Reg. $2,795)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Off-Road Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 Full Suspension Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Segway Xafari Red e-bike: $2,000 (Reg. $2,400)
- Velotric Nomad 2 All-Terrain e-bike with $120 bundle (new): $1,999 (No price cut)
- Rad Power Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Rad Power Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ up to $674 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,673)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive 9-Speed e-bike: $1,995 (Reg. $2,495)
- Tenways AGO X All-Terrain e-bike with $307 bundle: $1,899 (Reg. $2,499)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (gray or white) with DELTA 2 station: $1,898 (Reg. $2,198)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (mango or blue) with DELTA 2 station: $1,828 (Reg. $2,198)
- Rad Power RadRunner Plus Cargo Utility e-bike with extra battery: $1,799 (No price cut)
- Aventon Abound SR Smart Cargo e-bike (new, first discount): $1,799 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XP Trike2 750 Long-Range eTrike with $493 preorder bundle: $1,799 (Reg. $2,292)
- Velotric Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike with $150 bundle (new, first discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Pace 4 Smart Cruiser e-bike (new, second-ever discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike (lowest price): $1,699 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $525 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,224)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike with $316 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,015)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike with extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,999)
- Ride1Up VORSA Modular Multi-Use e-bike (first discount): $1,595 (Reg. $1,695)
- Rad Power RadRunner Cargo Utility e-bike with extra battery: $1,499 (No pirce cut)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $227 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,726)
- Lectric XP Trike2 with $227 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,726)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
- Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes with $118 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Velotric Nomad 1 Plus All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Aventon Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,999)
- Aventon Sinch 2 Folding e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,699)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $326 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,725)
- Aventon Level 2 Commuter e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Ride1Up Roadster V3 Lightweight Premium e-bike: $1,395 (Reg. $1,495)
- Velotric T1 ST Plus Lightweight e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,649)
- Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru Fat Tire e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,599)
- Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $424 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,723)
- Lectric XP4 750 LR Folding Utility e-bikes with $355 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,654)
- Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike with extra battery: $1,199 (Reg. $1,848)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 JW Black LR e-bike with $316 bundle: $1,099 (Reg. $1,415)
- Ride1Up Portola Folding e-bike with BOGO accessory promo: $995 (Reg. $1,095)
- Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $79 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,078)
- Aventon Soltera 2.5 Lightweight Commuter e-bike (first discount): $999 (Reg. $1,199)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with up to $316 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,315)
- Heybike Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,599)
- Vanpowers City Vanture Urban Commuter e-bike (code VANVIP): $799 (Reg. $1,749)
- Segway E3 Pro Electric Scooter (launch): $600 (Reg. $700)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
- Segway’s new E3 Pro electric scooter with dual suspension, regen brakes, Apple Find My, and 34-mile range launches at $600 (Reg. $700)
- Jackery’s 72-hour home backup flash sale drops Explorer 2000 Plus 400W solar bundle to new $1,499 low (Reg. $3,099), more
- Don’t miss out on Anker’s popular PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh power station while it’s back at $80 (Reg. $150)
- Ride into fall on Velotric’s 39-pound T1 ST Plus e-bike with Apple Find My and a FREE cargo rack for $1,299 ($1,746 value), more
- Jackery’s Explorer 1000 V2 power station gets exclusive bundle with 100W solar panel and $520 discount to new $479 low
- Amazon drops Jackery’s new HomePower 3000 LiFePO4 station to its $1,499 low (Reg. $2,499), bundles start from $1,799
- Save $600 on Bluetti’s latest Elite 100 V2 solar bundle with a 200W panel at a new $699 low, more from $369
- Anker’s SOLIX Fan Fest clearance deals drop the 535 PowerHouse LiFePO4 station back to $299 low (Reg. $500+), more from $170
- Save up to $500 on ECOVACS’ three Goat RTK and LiDAR robot mowers starting from a new $841 low (Reg. $1,000+)
- Get a 1,800 PSI punch packed into Worx’s compact 13A pressure washer for $120 (Reg. up to $180)
- Get low-cost soil from food waste without the odors using Govee’s Smart Electric Composter at a new $217 low (Reg. up to $455)
- Worx’s Nitro Hydroshot 710 PSI portable pressure washer with a draw hose hits $130 low for second time (Reg. up to $210)
- Electrified Weekly – Lectric e-bike bundles up to $720 off in latest sale, Vanpowers City Vanture e-bike $799, EcoFlow, Anker SOLIX, more
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Panasonic, the Japanese manufacturing giant, says it is working on a new battery cell that can add 90 miles of range to the Tesla Model Y – pushing it to over 450 miles (725 km).
Of course, it could also just use fewer batteries and reduce the weight of the vehicle or other EVs.
Panasonic deserves considerable credit for the electric revolution in the automotive industry this millennium.
When Tesla sought to incorporate Li-ion batteries into electric vehicles, Panasonic was the only battery cell manufacturer to join the effort.
The partnership helped Panasonic significantly expand its battery business, but Korean and Chinese battery cell manufacturers soon surpassed it.
Now, the company is looking to catch up with a new novel battery chemistry.
Panasonic’s proposed design eliminates the anode during manufacturing. Instead, a lithium metal anode forms naturally inside the cell after the first charge. This approach frees up space for more active cathode materials — nickel, cobalt, and aluminum — increasing capacity without changing the overall cell volume.
The company believes that it will result in a 25% increase in energy density, which could add about 90 miles of range on a Model Y (via Reuters):
If achieved, the improvement would lead to a 25% increase in battery capacity, thus boosting the driving range of Tesla’s most affordable sport-utility vehicle, the Model Y, by almost 90 miles (about 145 km), at current battery pack size, Panasonic said.
Panasonic states that the new battery technology will be available by the end of 2027. It didn’t discuss cost.
Electrek’s Take
I’m always wary of “battery breakthrough” announcements, as they rarely pan out to anything substantial, but if they can deliver a 25% increase in energy density at a reasonable cost with longevity, it could be a winner.
The problem is that new batteries generally fail in one of those aspects.
I hope it’s not the case for this project because competition is good, and I’d like to see Panasonic put some pressure on the Chinese and Korean battery manufacturers.
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