No Mo’ ’Splosions? Nanotech Energy Unveils Fireproof Graphene Battery
Wow, the claims Nanotech Energy makes for its new graphene battery, just presented at CES Unveiled, are impressive: It retains more than 80 percent of its rated capacity through 1,400 cycles, can charge "18 times faster than anything that is currently available on the market," maintains performance at extreme temperatures (-40 to 140 degrees F), holds charge at temperatures as high as 350 degrees and won't catch fire when penetrated with a nail or heated to more than 1,300 degrees, don't require exotic materials, can be manufactured on existing equipment in various form factors (cylindrical, pouch, etc. ), and is going to be produced in a new plant in Nevada slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Given all that, we wouldn't be surprised to learn that driving an EV powered by such batteries also promoted weight loss and prevented tax audits. Here's what we know about the Nanotech Energy graphene battery.
Graphene Battery Electrodes
Graphene has been making a lot of news lately, and we explained what it is here, but here's a quickie recap: the graphene in use here is a sheet of one-atom-thick carbon. Nanotech Energy is using graphene sheets to transfer energy to and from its new batteries. Graphene is extremely strong yet pliable, which makes it capable of stretching as the lithium ions come and go from the electrodes, causing volume changes. Graphene's strong electrical conductivity lowers the battery's internal resistance, which lowers internal heat generation, enabling faster charging.
OrganoLyte Electrolyte
Nanotech Energy has yet to release exact chemical specifications of its proprietary liquid electrolyte, but it has provided MotorTrend with some general information. Most electrolytes in use today involve dissolving a lithium salt in a liquid material composed primarily of linear and cyclic chain carbonates (molecules that involve a carbon atom attached to three oxygen atoms). These liquids are typically flammable (see the photo below). OrganoLyte reportedly is not, if photos (at top) of a propane torch applied to the material are to be believed.
While no specifics have been confirmed, the name suggests the material still centers around organic chemistry (meaning its molecules involve carbon atoms and covalent bonding, not ecological farming), and we're assured they're not exotic or expensive.
New Proprietary Separator
The graphene battery electrodes must be separated by a material through which the ions transfer, and here again Nanotech Energy has replaced the typical polyolefin separator with a new material that improves on polyolefin's thermal stability. This also helps to make the batteries safer.
Easy to Manufacture
Current manufacturing equipment and processes currently in use to make lithium-ion pouch and cylinder batteries can produce Nanotech Energy's graphene battery, and a factory designed to build them is currently slated to open in late 2022.
When Can I Buy a Graphene Battery?
Perhaps as early as next year, but we expect initial production to concentrate on the consumer electronics market. That's because it's extremely unlikely that sufficient durability, reliability and safety testing on all these new materials when applied toward an automotive use case can be completed in less than a few years.
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hyundai ioniq-5 Full OverviewThe 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the most consequential new Hyundai since the original Genesis sedan. The Genesis changed people's perception of Hyundai as a brand, for the first time putting the Korean automaker in the luxury conversation alongside names such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus. The new 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is destined to change the perception of Hyundai again—only this time the conversations will be around Tesla.What Is It?The Ioniq 5 is the first Hyundai EV built on Hyundai Motor Group's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). The Ioniq 5 is available worldwide with either a 58-kWh or 77.4-kWh battery pack and a single motor driving the rear wheels or (with the 77.4-kWh battery) motors front and rear providing all-wheel drive. In North America, the 77.4-kWh battery pack is the sole option.Even by the standards of today's topsy-turvy automotive taxonomy, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is something of a segment buster. In photos, its crisp styling and taut proportions suggests a Veloster-sized hatchback with a sort of Hyundai-does-VW-Golf vibe. Look again and consider: It's rolling on 20-inch wheels and 255/45 Michelin Primacy Tour tires. In the metal, the Ioniq 5 is almost as big as a BMW X3, with a 118.1-inch wheelbase—that's an inch longer than a BMW X5's.Car Style, SUV SubstanceOur test vehicle is the range-topping 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited HTRAC, which comes equipped with the big battery and all-wheel drive courtesy of two motors that produce a total of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. It also boasts a swag of premium goodies ranging from a power driver's seat with memory to a high-end Bose audio system to a head-up display and adaptive cruise control. You get all of this for $55,725.That's considerably less money than you'll spend for a dual-motor Tesla Model Y Long Range, which is listed at $60,900. What's more, the Hyundai looks and feels like a much more premium product. Where the Model Y's cabin is stark and austere, the Hyundai Ioniq 5's interior is thoughtfully detailed and well-finished, and it has buttons and knobs and targeted touch panels that mean you don't have to waste time looking away from the road to peck furiously at a giant screen to access mundane functions as you do in the Tesla. And while from the outside the Model Y looks as if it's been thrown together in a tent, with inconsistencies in the panel fits you can see from, er, Mars, the Hyundai's fit and finish is first rate.Testing, TestingThe new Ioniq 5 initially feels like a softer car to drive than many of its EV contemporaries, with its suspension seemingly tuned more for comfort than corners. But that's not to say it's slow. At the test track, the 0-60-mph sprint took just 4.4 seconds en route to a standing quarter-mile time of 13.2 seconds at 102.7mph. And unlike some EVs—the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition is a notable example—the Hyundai's rate of acceleration didn't fall off dramatically as speeds increased. Instead, it was able to sustain its forward push right through the quarter mile.Yes, the Tesla Model Y Long Range is quicker overall, whooshing down the quarter mile in 12.4 seconds at 114.8 mph, but the difference between the two is mostly at high speed, which has little relevance in real-world driving. The Hyundai's superior torque—its twin motors produce an additional 70 lb-ft compared to the Tesla—effortlessly punches the Ioniq 5 away from a standstill, and it's only 0.3 second slower to 60 mph than the 7 percent lighter and 20 percent more powerful Model Y.Despite its soft suspension, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is surprisingly adept in the twisty bits. We recorded a figure-eight lap time of 25.7 seconds, just 0.2 second slower than the BMW X3 M40i we happened to test on the same day. This caused us to exclaim, "Holy smokes!" Frankly, we didn't expect this car to be as fun and capable as it is; it's quick and has way more grip than we anticipatedThe biggest surprise was how playful the Ioniq 5 can be on corner exits with all the nannies switched off: It actually drifts. Just for fun, we tried for a full sideways lap of the skidpad, and the Hyundai made it two-thirds of the way around before letting go.The asymmetric front-to-rear power and torque split of the dual-motor Ioniq 5—the front motor makes 99 hp and 188 lb-ft, while the rear pumps out 225 hp and 258 lb-ft—combined with near neutral front/rear weight distribution doesn't just make the Hyundai a giggle when you want to play at the track. It also makes it feel more poised on normal roads at normal speeds, despite steering that, though precise and direct, doesn't provide a lot of feedback.Brake feel is the car's biggest dynamic niggle. The blending between regenerative and mechanical braking is smooth, and the system hauled the 4,684-pound Hyundai to a stop from 60 mph in 123 feet, 5 feet more than the Tesla Model Y required. But we disliked the lack of feedback through the pedal: There's very little travel or pedal pressure under heavy braking before the ABS kicks in.More DetailsYou can actuate one of three drive modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—via a large button beneath the steering wheel's left spoke. In simple terms, the modes change the weighting of the accelerator pedal, effectively encouraging the driver to make smoother and gentler inputs. Six regenerative braking levels are offered, ranging from zero (which allows the Ioniq 5 to coast freely) to a mode that enables one-pedal driving, with the car slowing to a gentle halt the moment you lift off. There is also an auto mode. Drivers can switch between these modes via steering wheel paddles.After a bit of experimentation, we preferred to set the drive mode to Sport, which allowed us to make the most of the powertrain's instant-on response, and the lift-off regenerative braking to Level 1, which enabled the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 to flow down the road much like a regular combustion-engine car with an automatic transmission when lifting off the accelerator.Range FinderHyundai says the 77.4-kWh battery gives the dual-motor Ioniq 5 a range of 256 miles. Our stints on the road, which included highway cruising at 70 to 80 mph and some brisk bursts along quiet back roads, as well as endless fiddling with drive modes and regen settings, saw the Ioniq 5 consume 2.7-kWh per mile, according to the onboard computer, which translated to a range of just about 200 miles. Driven normally, you should expect a usable range of 220 to 230 miles, more if you are content to noodle along in Eco mode.No, the Ioniq 5 Limited won't travel as far between charges as the Tesla Model Y Long Range, which has a claimed range of just more than 300 miles. But you'll spend about 30 percent less time at the charging station with the Hyundai. Find a 350-kW DC fast charger, and the Ioniq 5's battery can be juiced from 10 percent charge to 80 percent in just 18 minutes and topped up fully in less than an hour. No other mainstream EV, apart from the identical-under-the-skin Kia EV6, can recharge so quickly.Do You Want One?In terms of overall practicality, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a mixed bag. The long wheelbase and flat floor mean the rear seat easily accommodates 6-foot-tall adults, and there's plenty of storage space around the cabin. But unlike most two-box SUVs, it is truly a hatchback, not a wagon. The raked C-pillars and angled backlight chew into the shallow load space at the rear, and there's only a small storage tray in the frunk.If driving range and load lugging are your absolute priorities, the Tesla Model Y Long Range, which will travel 28 percent farther between charges and has about 60 percent more luggage capacity with the rear seats up, would seem the obvious choice. But those two advantages come at a price.The Ioniq 5 Limited not only costs about $5,000 less than the Model Y, but it's also quieter and more comfortable to drive, is a visibly higher-quality vehicle inside and out, and can recharge much quicker. That it's also brisk and fun to drive if you want it to be are bonuses.Indeed, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited HTRAC is a compelling all-arounder for the buyer who wants a premium EV, without paying top dollar.Looks good! More details?2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 HTRAC (Limited Long Range) SPECIFICATIONS BASE PRICE $55,725 PRICE AS TESTED $55,920 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front and rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV MOTOR TYPE Permanent-magnet electric POWER (SAE NET) 320 hp TORQUE (SAE NET) 446 lb-ft TRANSMISSION 1-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 4,684 lb (51/49%) WHEELBASE 118.1 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 185.2 x 74.4 x 63.0 in 0-60 MPH 4.4 sec QUARTER MILE 13.2 sec @ 102.7 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 123 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.88 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.7 sec @ 0.71 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 110/87/98 mpg-e EPA RANGE, COMB 256 mi ON SALE Early 2022 Show All
At last year's virtual CES, Cadillac introduced a number of virtual concept cars under its Halo Concept Portfolio series. This year CES is happening in real life (well, mostly), and Caddy has a real-life concept car to show called Inner Space. Forget about steering yokes that fold away: The Inner Space is a completely autonomous luxury car for two, more of a suite-on-wheels than a traditional vehicle.Inside the smooth, sleek shape—one we'd like to call an Eldorado of the future, if the rear half of the car didn't remind us so much of Chevrolet's 1990 CERV III concept—is what looks like a luxury cabin for two. Doors and the roof open to reveal a single bench seat that splits and separates for easy ingress, then comes together for…. Well that's the question. For what?Not for a drive, certainly; there are no driver input controls, and atop a piece which we might have once called a dashboard, the Inner Space has a giant wrap-around screen that, so far as we can tell, all but blocks the view out of the massive windshield. (That seems strange given that the top of the cabin is nearly encased in glass.) Instead of pedals, the concept has pillows—and blankets and a set of slippers all arranged neatly on a tray that slides out from under the screen. Hey, baby, it's a long, boring drive to Phoenix and we've got nothing better to do... GM touts the Inner Space's entertainment system, which includes Augmented Reality displays—we're assuming that means you get to see where you're going on the big screen, presumably with some degree of interactivity—and a "Wellness Recovery" theme. Cadillac says the car uses an AI-driven interface that uses biometric input. Perhaps that means it knows when to cut the outside view, dim the lights, bring up the fireplace screensaver and put Barry White on the stereo.Not much is said about the mechanical features of the Inner Space except that the battery modules are spread about the car and not just concentrated in the floor, which opens up more inner space. The tires, specially designed by Goodyear, are designed to provide a quieter ride and are made with renewable materials such as soybean oil and silica from rice husks rather than petroleum.As car fans, we probably should object to a car that completely removes the driver from driving, but we can appreciate having a rolling two-seat cocoon for those long, featureless, fatiguing drives. We won't insult your intelligence by talking about a production version, but we do expect many of the car's features to make it to reality; the augmented reality technology seems particularly engaging. That and the pillows and the blanket. After all, it's a long drive home from Las Vegas.
Chevrolet wants you to have your cake and eat it too. The tasty treat is the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, an electric SUV that keeps the edgy look of the Blazer but gives it greater performance, the first electric SS, more interior room, and lets the customer choose the configuration of the powertrain, a unique proposition in an industry where every nameplate is fighting to stand out.By powertrain configuration, we mean the buyer can not only choose trim, color and features—but also whether their Blazer is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive. That is highly unusual in the retail world. Closest example we can think of is commercial customers in Europe who can choose a front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive Ford Transit commercial van.We'll get back to the surprising powertrain flexibility. But first let's get an overview of the electric SUV that Chevy felt deserved to be equipped to appeal to a wide consumer base globally, including those yearning for the first electric SS.Blazer EV is Whole Different Animal from Current BlazerFor starters, the Blazer EV sprang from a clean sheet. It may share the Blazer name and spirit, but does not share architecture, panels or components with the conventional Blazer with an internal combustion engine, says vice president of Chevy Marketing Steve Majoros. The wheelbase was extended by 231 mm (9.1 inches) to fit the largest battery size in, making it the longest entry in the midsize-SUV segment.The Blazer will be the second Chevy on GM's Ultium electric vehicle architecture which underpins the 2022 GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV, and the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq midsize crossover. The first electric Chevy from Ultium is the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV full-size pickup due in spring 2023, followed by the Blazer next summer, and the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV compact crossover in the fall of next year. We will get our first full look at the Equinox EV in September.When the current Blazer hit streets in 2018, it ushered in a new design ethos, complete with Camaro and Corvette touches, that carries over to the EV. In this age of dynamic lighting, the Blazer EV is no exception with LED lights that travel to and from the illuminated bowtie in the middle of the light bar for a bit of theater when you approach or walk away from the vehicle. It is most dramatic on the SS with its two-tone color scheme with black fascia and top. The lighting also conveys the vehicle's state of charge: lights dance faster and shine more intensely as the battery's charge increases.Interior Roomier Than the Current BlazerThe architecture and battery pack give the Blazer EV a lower center of gravity and floor which yields more interior space and options for storage areas and clever packaging.Inside the cabin feels airy, with lots of headroom even with the optional sunroof. The low floor and extended wheelbase mean more cargo room, we await specs for the exact amount. Screens in the cockpit are angled and oriented to the driver. There is a 17.7-inch OLED free-form center touchscreen with dimming back light for crisp graphics that fill the screen to the edges—no large areas of dark screen. The driver display adds another 11.0 inches and there is a 3x7-inch head-up display that is standard on the SS, optional on the high-volume 2LT and RS trims. A video display enhances the rearview mirror.The Blazer EV SS we saw was telltale red and black, both inside and out. The red leather seats in both rows are heated and cooled and the cabin benefits from contrast stitching and higher-end materials. Rear seat passengers get vents which are controlled from up front, and two USB outlets. Not surprisingly, the Blazer EV has Camaro-style round air vents. The SUV also has an ionizer to purify the air. You can look up the air quality and some models will have a sensor to automatically turn on the filter to scrub when poor air quality requires it, especially useful for markets such as China.Back to That PowertrainThe Blazer will be offered with a front-wheel-drive unit, a choice of two rear-wheel-drive units, standard and performance all-wheel drive, and three battery sizes. Standard AWD has front drive unit and smaller rear unit. RWD offers more power than FWD and a more dynamic drive. FWD has smaller motor and choice of small or medium battery packs.Here is how the trims play out:1LT: This monochromatic base trim with cloth seats has standard FWD with a small motor in front, standard 19-inch wheels and a range of 247 miles from a single charge. Horsepower and torque figures have not been released, nor have details of the motor and the small and medium batteries expected to be on the base model.2LT: Standard FWD, optional AWD using the smaller of the two rear motors. It will have a range of up to 293 miles. No performance specs yet.RS: Choice of standard FWD with a midsize battery pack or RWD with the larger motor and medium battery pack—you choose where you want the motor—with optional dual motors for AWD. This is the trim with the longest range, up to 320 miles per charge. The RS rides on standard 21-inch wheels and has a heated flat-bottom steering wheel.SS: Standard higher-performance AWD with the larger motor on the rear axle and largest battery. This electric beast will have 557 hp, 648 lb-ft of torque which should propel it from 0-60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds, GM says. It has 290 miles of range, a sport tuned chassis, Brembo brakes, standard 22-inch wheels and the performance required to warrant the SS badging. We are assured it is a true SS. It easily becomes the quickest Blazer.Charging the 2024 Chevy Blazer EVDepending on the trim, the Blazer EV has DC public fast-charging capability of up to 190 kW which Chevy execs say will add 78 miles of range in 10 minutes. The EV has hands-free start, which means no button to push. Close the door, tap the brake, and the key fob authorizes the SUV to go. The fob also talks to the sensors at the rear of the vehicle to open the tailgate hands-free.The vehicles offer one-pedal driving, activated via a button on the touchscreen. The driver can choose how aggressive the regenerative braking is and can pull on a shift paddle on the steering wheel to make small adjustments to braking strength. Wide Open Watts or WOW is the Chevy family friendly version of the Watts to Freedom or WTF launch mode on the GMC Hummer, a maximum power model to get more current to the inverter for more power to the wheels for takeoff.Super Cruise is standard on the SS; optional on lower trims. Advanced Park Assist does the work for you, and other advanced driver assist systems include reverse automatic braking, forward collision alert, automaker emergency braking, and lane-keep assist with lane departure warning. Ultify allows over-the-air software updates to improve and personalize the vehicle over its lifetime. The Blazer comes with standard and all-season tires, with optional summer tires for performance.2024 Chevrolet Blazer Pricing and On-Sale DateThe Blazer EV will hit the market in summer 2023, launching initially with the most popular trims: the 2LT that starts at $47,595 and introduces leather seats, and the sportier RS with a $51,995 starting price. They will be followed by the high-performance SS with standard AWD ($65,995), and before year's end Chevrolet will add the base 1LT that starts at $44,995. Don't count on federal tax credits to reduce the cost; GM has used up its allotment. But Chevy does throw in free installation of a home charging unit.The Blazer EV will be built in the same Ramos Arizpe plant as the current Blazer, even though they are completely different vehicles and EVs undergo a different build process. GM is spending $1 billion to prepare the Mexican plant. Majoros said it is hard to gauge what the take rate will be of the EV; he just knows Chevy has to be ready when the market moves. "We see this initially as additive volume, so Chevy share should grow."And criminals beware, Chevy will do a Police Pursuit Vehicle model of the Blazer EV that will essentially be a modified SS with the largest battery and a choice of rear-drive or performance AWD, and Brembo brakes.2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV Specifications BASE PRICE $44,995-65,995 LAYOUT Front engine, FWD/RWD/AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV MOTOR 557-hp/648-lb-ft AC DC] permanent-magnet electric TRANSMISSION 1-speed auto, CURB WEIGHT WHEELBASE 121.8 in L x W x H 0-60 MPH 3.9-8.5 sec (mfr est) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON EPA RANGE, COMB ON SALE Summer 2023 Show All
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