Phoenix, Arizona-based Nikola Corporation claims its new battery has a record energy density of 1,100 watt-hours per kilogram on the material level and 500 watt-hours/kg on the production cell level.
The prototype cell is said to be the first battery that removes binder material and current collectors, enabling more energy storage within the cell.
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It is also expected to pass nail penetration standards, thus reducing potential vehicle fires.
Nikola claims this battery technology could increase the range of current EV passenger cars from 300 miles (500km) up to 600 miles (1,000km) with little or no increase to battery size and weight.
The technology is also designed to operate in existing vehicle conditions. Cycling the cells over 2,000 times is said to have shown acceptable end-of-life performance.
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New cell technology is claimed environment friendly and easy to recycle.
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By GlobalDataNikola intend to acquire an engineering team to take the new battery to pre-production. It will add 15 PhDs and five masters degree team members.
Additional details of the acquisition will not be disclosed until the Nikola World 2020 event.
“This is the biggest advancement we have seen in the battery world,” said CEO Trevor Milton.
“We are not talking about small improvements; we are talking about doubling your cell phone battery capacity. We are talking about doubling the range of BEVs and hydrogen-electric vehicles.”
He added: “[We are] in discussions with customers for truck orders that could fill production slots for more than 10 years and propel [us] to become the top truck manufacturer in the world in terms of revenue. Now the question is why not share it with the world?”
Nikola will demonstrate the batteries charging and discharging at Nikola World, expected to be in autumn 2020.
“Due to the impact this technology will have on society and emissions, Nikola has taken an unprecedented position to share the IP with all other OEMs, even competitors, that contribute to the IP licence and new consortium,” the company said in a statement.
