The race to better 'the electric vehicle experience'

In Cambridge, scientists are racing to improve electric vehicle technology so that more people will want to buy and use electric cars. The UK government has set a big goal: by 2035, every new car sold must be completely emissions-free. This means that all new cars will need to be electric. While electric vehicles are becoming more popular, there are still some big challenges. Many drivers worry about the high cost of electric cars, how far they can travel on a single charge, how long it takes to charge them, and whether there are enough charging stations. The Department for Transport recently reported that one in five new cars sold in May was electric, and the UK is leading Europe in electric vehicle sales this year.

A Cambridge start-up called Nyobolt is working on a solution to one of the biggest problems: charging time. Nyobolt has developed a new battery that can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in just four minutes and 37 seconds using a 350kW charger. This is much faster than most electric cars today, which usually take about 40 minutes to charge. The battery can also be charged 4,000 times and still keep more than 80 percent of its power. Ramesh Narasimhan, the vice president of Nyobolt, says that charging their battery is almost as quick as filling up a petrol car. The company uses a special material called Niobium Tungsten Oxide in the battery's anode, which helps it charge quickly without getting too hot or losing its lifespan. Steve Hutchins, another leader at Nyobolt, says this makes the battery safer and less likely to catch fire compared to regular lithium-ion batteries.

Nyobolt is making the special anode material at a new factory in Haverhill, Suffolk, so that production is close to their research team in Cambridge. They expect about 70 people to work at the factory once it is fully running, but this depends on how many car companies want to use their batteries. Even though Nyobolt's technology is ready, it will take time for car makers to test it and start using it in their vehicles. The company says it could take about four years before their batteries are in cars you can buy. Another challenge is the charging infrastructure. There are more charging stations now, but not enough fast chargers for everyone. Some companies are starting to install 350kW chargers at service stations, but these are still rare. The government is investing £4 billion to help people switch to electric cars and to build more charging stations, but it will take time for the network to catch up with demand. For now, Nyobolt's batteries are being used in robots, but the company hopes to expand into cars and heavy vehicles soon. The UK wants to become a leader in battery technology, but even with new inventions, it can take a long time for people to accept and use them.