Why this spells trouble
Two of the main reasons li-air batteries pose a threat to li-ion batteries is that they have the potential to hold five to 10 times as much energy as, and would be cheaper than, li-ion batteries. In other words, cars using li-air batteries would theoretically be able to go much greater distances than current EVs — around 500 miles per charge — and be more comparable in cost to their gas counterparts. Two big obstacles in getting consumers into EVs.
Who’s betting on air and other technology
One company betting on Li-air is Toyota . Toyota’s never been shy about its dislike for li-ion batteries, and now it’s teamed up with BMW to develop li-air, solid-state, and fuel cell vehicles, which it hopes to start bringing to market in 2020. It states, “As Toyota anticipates the widespread use of electric vehicles in the future, we have begun research in developing next-generation secondary batteries with performance that greatly exceeds that of lithium-ion batteries.”
Li-air batteries aren’t the only batteries that pose a threat to li-ion. Toyota is also researching magnesium-ion batteries because of their potential high energy density, and scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory recently overcame a major problem facing lithium-sulfur batteries by using a solid electrolyte. Chengdu Liang, the lead author of the study, said, “This game-changing shift from liquid to solid electrolytes eliminates the problem of sulfur dissolution and enables us to deliver on the promise of lithium-sulfur batteries.”
More pointedly, batteries themselves may not be the future for green cars. As I’ve written before, cryogen (liquid) air powered engines, are reemerging as a possible alternative energy, and with recent successes, are gaining more momentum .
Watch out, Tesla
The reason these advances could be especially concerning to Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is that Tesla’s main operation is based around cars powered by li-ion batteries. Yes, they’re the creme-de-la-creme of li-ion batteries, but if li-ion batteries fall out of favor for better batteries or new technology, Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) could be in trouble. It’s not like The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), Toyota, or GM, which have a variety of products to fall back on. Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA)’s eggs are in the proverbial “one basket.” As such, it’s in a risky spot. Yes, it could pan out, but there are a lot of advances in green technology that seem to have much greater potential than li-ion batteries — and some could become commercially viable, soon. Consequently, this is something investors should closely monitor.
The article Is Tesla’s Battery Running Out of Charge? originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Katie Spence has no position in any stocks mentioned. Follow her on Twitter: @TMFKSpence. The Motley Fool recommends General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) and Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) and owns shares of Tesla Motors.
Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
