Toronto, Ontario — In this weekly electric and autonomous vehicle report, a Toyota-funded research project finds that charging lithium-ion batteries for the first time at unusually high speeds can extend their lifespan; while a recent S&P Global Mobility report outlines autonomous vehicle adoption momentum in the United States.
First times the charge
A Toyota-funded research project has found that charging lithium-ion batteries for the first time at unusually high speeds can extend their lifespan by an average of 50 percent and as much as 70 percent.
The study, which was specifically funded by the Toyota Research Institute under it’s accelerated Materials Design and Discovery program, coordinated with researchers from institutions such as the SLAC-Stanford Battery Center and found that first time fast-charging can extend battery life because the initial charging cycles stabilize the battery pack and help activate cell materials.
During research, battery scientists from SLAC-Stanford, Toyota Research Institute, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Washington ran 186 charging and discharging cycles across 62 battery formation processes.
As further indicated by InsideEV, when high current is pumped into the battery pack for the first time, the cells in the pack actually lose some of their lithium content—as much as 30 percent, compared to 9 percent through traditional first-charging methods.
“The lost lithium becomes part of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) that forms on the surface of the negative electrode during the first charge,” said SLAC-Stanford in a statement. In turn, this layer protects the negative electrode where lithium loss can get accelerated over time and this ultimately has a positive effect on the pack’s lifespan.
This process is the opposite of what automotive manufacturers usually do, which relies on giving batteries a first charge using a low current.
Autonomous advances
As noted by a recent S&P Global Mobility report, in mid-2024, the United States ride-hailing market has seen renewed progress in autonomous vehicles after a slowdown in 2022 and 2023.
Specifically, the report notes that “the summer of 2024 saw steady developments related to autonomous vehicles in the United States. Though progress has not come at a pace predicted in the 2017-18 period, the potential for the technology to truly transform the way people and goods move in society remains compelling.”
The report further notes that “in 2024, though the AV industry overall still faces a lack of sufficient capital to support technology development, investment announcements have come from parent companies of AV startups. Progress has continued in mainland China as well due to the development of regulations and standards, the establishment of pilot zones and the insurance of AV testing licenses.”
Looking ahead, S&P’s Global Mobility forecast predicts that in 2034, “sales of autonomous light vehicles in the United States are forecasted to reach about 230,000, suggesting a market share of less than 1.5 percent per year a decade from now.
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