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BetterPlace is the global provider of electric vehicle networks and services.
batteries
EVs now take advantage of the most advanced lithium-ion battery technologies which are recyclable, environmentally friendly, and safe.
Better Place is working with leading battery manufacturers such as A123 Systems and AESC to develop and manufacture lithium-ion batteries for EVs that are maximally effective, recyclable, environmentally-friendly, and safe. Made from nontoxic materials, the safety of today’s lithium-ion battery technology is unprecedented. While early generations of lithium-ion batteries used in laptops were known to occasionally overheat, today’s lithium-ion battery has high abuse tolerance, low heat evolution, stable cathode material, and an intelligent pack design that ensures consumer safety. A lithium-ion battery can also be recycled with minimal environmental impact. More than 95% of the battery materials can be recovered and reused.
The $1 billion per year being invested into lithium-ion battery research, with an increasing proportion going into automotive applications will lead to further advances in battery performance (including power, range, charge time, lifetime, and cost). While the industry has recognized lithium-ion to be the best battery chemistry solution for EVs right now, Better Place is ultimately chemistry-agnostic and willing to adopt new battery technologies as they emerge.
Performance & range
Lithium-ion batteries offer significant performance benefits relative to battery chemistries such as nickel metal hydride (NiMH), used in many of today’s hybrid cars. Lithium-ion batteries can store significantly more energy and generate twice the power per unit volume than these hybrid batteries. These improvements in storage capacity and power generation are critical in maximizing the range of a vehicle. The result is that a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery in a typical sedan provides a range of about 160 kilometers (100 miles) on a single charge.
Charge time
Most cars are parked for more than 20 hours a day, and almost all are parked overnight. Better Place will work with customers to provide charge spots where their cars are typically parked: at home, work, nearby parking lots or on streets. Given that a vehicle battery can be recharged in 4 - 8 hours, if a driver plugs in an EV at night, he/she will wake up every day to a fully charged battery. This type of charging is ideal since this is considered an “off-peak” time when energy demand is lowest, surplus capacity exists on the grid, and there will be no need to increase electricity generation to accommodate EVs. To exchange a battery during a long trip (over 100 miles or 160 kilometers), Better Place customers will be able to use a roadside battery switch station, in which their depleted battery will be switched to fully charged one in less time than it takes to fill a gas tank.
Battery cost & lifetime
The cost of lithium-ion batteries has come down by nearly 75% in the past several years, creating a cost effecive, high performance solution for EVs. The lifetime of these new lithium-ion batteries is significantly higher than that of batteries in today’s hybrids. These batteries are expected to perform for over 8 years and 2,000 recharges, a major improvement over earlier generations of vehicle batteries. As EV batteries come at a significant cost, Better Place will purchase the batteries to eliminate the initial pricing premium that other EVs require. The use of the battery will be included as part of the Better Place service. In addition to up front cost savings relative to fixed-battery EVs, this model gives consumers the added confidence that if there are any battery issues, they can switch them at a battery switch station.