UK-based start-ups Nyobolt claims to have developed commercially viable battery technology that allows electric vehicles to fully charge in less than 10 minutes.
This week, the startup brought it into physical form, unveiling an electric sports car concept that it claims can recover an entire 155-mile range in just 6 minutes. That equates to 1,600 miles of added range per hour—more than double that of the fastest charging models. like fresh air.
In a press release, Nyobolt said its batteries are “capable of immediate application and rapid scaling,” with production slated to begin in 2024. Industry claims they’ve tested them for over 2,000 cycles with no loss in capacity — which is often a stumbling block for new designs.
Nyobolt . electric vehicle battery
EQUAL Green Car Congress previously reported, Nyobolt’s technology is derived from niobium anode technology and works specifically with niobium tungsten oxide particles.
Nyobolt’s founders believe that faster charging will enable smaller, lighter battery packs. To demonstrate this concept, Nyobolt teamed up with design firm Callum to create a one-of-a-kind electric sports car. The startup claims it weighs “closer to a ton (2,200 pounds) than two tons (4,400 pounds),” making it relatively light for an electric vehicle. That’s thanks in part to the carbon fiber bodywork and small 35 kWh battery pack.
That package size isn’t far from the original Tesla Roadster package. The Nyobolt EV was also designed by Julian Thomson, who also designed the Lotus Elise, which was the basis for the Roadster.
Nyobolt says it plans to ramp up battery production by 2024. At Tuesday’s launch event, the company demonstrated its ability to fully charge in six minutes on one of the modules for the convertible package, it explained to Green Car Reports, while the company is working to assemble and integrate a full prototype package into the vehicle in July and August.
Nyobolt . electric sports car
Such an idea reminds us of something Green Car Reports has been preaching for a long time—that long sequence numbers are a distraction from other important factors such as charger availability, charging speed and keeping the vehicle light, all of these will reduce the need for large batteries.
Nyobolt also claims unlimited fast charge times on smaller packs, and megawatt charging can allow large trucks and buses to charge in minutes.
Getting fast-charging cells into production has proven very difficult. Toshiba for example, says that a six-minute charge is within reach, but that battery is still not on the market six years later. And Toyota is on the verge of Quick charge 10 minutes up to 80% with solid state cells will not be produced until 2027 at the earliest.
