Researchers discovered zinc-ion batteries thrive on fast charging
Fast charging speeds things up, but usually at the cost of battery life. So when a team at Georgia Tech discovered that cranking up the charge rate actually made zinc-ion batteries stronger, it turned battery science on its head.
Led by Hailong Chen, an associate professor in Georgia Tech’s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, the team found that fast charging didn’t cause the usual degradation seen in lithium-ion batteries. Instead, it improved the performance of zinc-ion batteries. That surprise finding, recently published in Nature Communications, could shake up how we think about powering everything from homes to hospitals to the grid.
Why zinc and not lithium?
Zinc-ion batteries have been on scientists’ radar for a while. Zinc is cheaper, safer, and more abundant than lithium, but one major flaw has held zinc-ion batteries back: dendrites.
These needle-like metal spikes form during charging and can short-circuit a battery, which is the kind of failure you don’t want in an energy storage system.
But Chen’s team found the opposite of what you’d expect. “We found that using faster charging actually suppressed dendrite formation instead of accelerating it,” Chen explained.
Instead of sharp, splintered growths, the zinc stacked into smooth, dense layers like stacked books. That clean structure not only prevents dangerous short circuits but also makes the battery last longer.
“It goes against the conventional thinking that fast charging shortens battery life,” said Chen. “What we found expands people’s understanding of fast charging that could rewrite how we think about battery design and where they can be used.”
Still work to do
The zinc anode – one end of the battery – is now in great shape thanks to this discovery. But the other half, the cathode, still needs improvement to match the performance and longevity of the anode.
Chen’s team is working on it, and they’re also experimenting with zinc blends to make the whole battery more robust.
Zinc’s future battery potential
To make this discovery, Chen’s group built a custom tool that let them watch how zinc behaves in real time under different charging speeds across a huge range of samples at once.
That kind of side-by-side view is rare in battery research. Usually, scientists test one variable at a time, which slows down progress. But this approach let them fast-track insights and see patterns that would normally be missed.
“We weren’t just seeing whether the battery worked or not,” Chen said. “We were watching the structure of the material evolve as it charged.” And that real-time observation helped them understand why fast charging prevents dendrites in zinc-ion batteries – something no one had ever mapped out in the lab before.
What this could mean for the grid
This isn’t about juicing up your phone in five minutes; Chen’s team is thinking bigger.
“You can imagine these zinc-ion batteries being used to store solar energy in homes, or for grid stabilization,” Chen said. “Anywhere you need reliable, affordable backup power.”
With lithium prices fluctuating and supply chains under pressure, alternatives like zinc are becoming more attractive. If everything goes as planned, Chen says zinc-ion batteries could be ready for commercial use within five years.
Read more: Could zinc-air batteries revolutionize the EV industry?
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Genesis is preparing to shake things up with its most luxurious SUV yet, the GV90. Thanks to a new patent filing, we are getting a detailed look at how its Rolls-Royce-style coach doors will work.
New patent reveals Genesis GV90 coach door system
When Genesis first unveiled the full-size SUV at the NY Auto Show last March, it wasn’t the stunning design or advanced tech that caught everyone’s attention. It was the coach doors.
Although we were worried it wouldn’t make it to the production model, like many concepts, the Genesis GV90 will be offered with coach doors.
The ultra-luxe electric SUV was first caught with coach doors earlier this year on a car carrier in South Korea. Just last month, the GV90 was spotted in California with a hinge at the rear to open the coach doors.
After several new patents were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for new door latching devices, we are getting a sneak peek at how they are expected to work.
The patents, titled “Cinching Device For Door Latches in Vehicle,” and “Door Latch Device for Vehicles,” give a pretty detailed explanation of how the Genesis GV90’s coach doors will operate. The “Door Latch Device” uses a door striker on the lower side of the door, which is opened or closed by a hinge unit.
Unlike traditional doors, which use the B-pillar for support, the device is attached directly to the door itself, allowing for hinge-like movement.
The cinching device works in a similar way. It’s also attached to the door and part of the vehicle. However, unlike most of its kind, Genesis found a way to use a single cinching device to control multiple units. Again, the device is used for B-pillarless doors that swing open.
Genesis already said that B-pillarless coach doors are now feasible in production vehicles. The patent reveals a glimpse into how the luxury automaker could make it a reality.
Although the Genesis GV90 is expected to be offered with coach doors, they will likely not be standard. Other variants, with traditional door handles, have also been spotted testing in the US and South Korea.
Genesis is expected to launch the GV90 in mid-2026. It will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan plant in South Korea. The flagship Genesis SUV is scheduled to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform, which the company said will “provide 50% improvement in driving range.” It will also be loaded with the latest technology, software, connectivity, and Level 3 or higher autonomous driving capabilities.
Source: USPTO
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Environment
Podcast: Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more
In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss the launch of the Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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July EV sales looked strong on the surface, but the looming impact of tariffs and the end of EV tax credits reveal a more complicated picture, according to Cars.com’s new Industry Insights report.
New-vehicle sales jumped 6.6% year-over-year, even as dealer inventory fell for the first time since 2022. Much of the spike came from a “buy now” mindset as shoppers raced to lock in deals before tariffs and policy changes drive prices higher. For EVs in particular, the looming end of the federal $7,500 tax credit on September 30 added another layer of urgency.
EV inventory growth is slowing – for now
Shoppers technically have more EV options than ever, with 75 models on the market – a 27% jump from last year. But new EV inventory growth has slowed to just 9% year-over-year, the lowest since before the Inflation Reduction Act revived federal incentives. Analysts expect another wave of buying before the tax credit vanishes, but after that, higher prices could cool demand, especially with most new EVs still priced in the premium-to-luxury bracket.
Tariffs set to push prices higher
Automakers absorbed an estimated $12 billion in tariff costs in the second quarter alone to keep sticker prices steady. That’s not sustainable, and once those costs flow into 2026 models, EV buyers could be facing thousands more on the same car.
At current 25% tariff levels, the average new-vehicle price could jump from $48,000 to $54,400 – about $6,400 more. Even if trade deals trim tariffs to 15%, buyers would still see increases of more than $4,000. That’s a huge gap compared to household incomes, which grew only 1% last year.
The used EV market is heating up
While new EV prices are bracing for impact, the used EV market is gaining momentum. Inventory is up 33% year-over-year, while average prices dipped 2% to $36,000. Affordable used EVs under $25,000 – including the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, and Chevy Bolt EV – are selling 20% faster than average. Many also qualify for the $4,000 used-EV tax credit, which, like the new EV credit, ends September 30.
Read more: Global EV sales hit 10.7M in 2025 – Europe surges, US stalls
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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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