Although the energy density of automotive batteries has yet to match the energy density of gasoline, the Argonne National Lab paints a bright future in terms of battery-powered vehicles.
A short-sighted comparison of only the gas tank and battery was deemed insufficient, as Argonne researchers discuss the importance of powertrain efficiency as well as the mass of the powertrain itself.
It is predicted that by 2045, similar to gas-powered vehicles, battery electric vehicles will offer the same amount of energy spent at the wheel per kg of the powertrain mass. If gas and electric vehicles have the same energy density, this means the vehicles have the same amount of energy in a given system per unit of volume or mass.
Until electric vehicles reach that point, it stands that gasoline is 100 times more energy dense than a lithium-ion battery. This means that it would take a lot more pounds of battery to go the same distance in a vehicle than pounds of gasoline.
Argonne rests their case by encompassing other factors that suggest future technological development. Significantly, the energy needed to go a particular distance in an electric vehicle is less than that of a gas vehicle. During the conversion of fuel into motion, all-electric powertrains lose less energy than gasoline engines.
While an electric powertrain is often times more than 90% efficient, less than 20% of the energy stored in a gallon of gas is converted into mechanical motion. The actual transfer of power through the transmission and to the wheels suffers a great mechanical loss in gas powered vehicles.
In this regard, electric vehicles pose a solution to maintaining a greater amount of power over a distance. Of course, an analysis as to whether electric cars would continue to be a costly alternative has not been completed.
I’m not sure why this matters, aside from some theoretical issue.
When BEV’s are good enough to compete well with ICE’s in range, price/performance, and convenience, plus the infrastructure to eliminate range anxiety, then they will be in a position to start to take over the mainstream market — backed by increasingly stringent government rules (like CAFE standards) on the auto fleet.
Until then, they won’t, for the mainstream middle class. (Around the edges yes, mainstream no).
What percentage of buyers is going to worry about energy density? Almost zero. Price, performance, features, looks, convenience, durability, choice, etc. yes. Plus, in 30 years, if the battle isn’t clearly favoring the BEV, it’s a fail for planet earth and EV’s generally.
bad
Good info
one liter of gas can only be used one time, ev batteries more than 1000 times
Yes, but unless they’re charged by truly green energy, why does that matter? Burning fossil fuels creates GHG’s, period.
I’m all for truly green cars, but let’s stop with the hype that an EV magically is green.