Nyobolt demonstrates 6-minute fast charging technology

Nyobolt demonstrated a charging process in which a vehicle with a 35 kWh battery was fully charged in less than six minutes. The corresponding battery technology is to be scaled up next year.

The British battery developer is demonstrating its battery technology with its new concept vehicle, which is due to go into production in early 2024. Specifically, the spin-off from the University of Cambridge is reportedly developing batteries with anodes made of niobium and tungsten, which should enable particularly short charging times.

The concept car now presented is an electric sports car based on the Lotus Elise, which was realised together with the design company Callum. Although the Nyobolt battery only has a capacity of 35 kWh for a range of up to 250 kilometres, it is supposed to be able to be fully charged in less than six minutes, as mentioned at the beginning. Moreover, Nyobolt says it has not been able to detect any “significant loss of performance” in its batteries even after more than 2,000 fast-charge cycles.

In addition to the battery production, the concept vehicle could also go into production in small numbers. A decision on this will be made about 12 months after the completion of a drivable prototype, which will be tested in the UK from November 2023. If it comes to production, then probably 25 copies per year

“Unlocking the challenges faced by electric vehicle designers has been key to the development of our breakthrough fast-charging batteries,” says Sai Shivareddy, CEO of Nyobolt. “Previously, enabling a light weight fast-charging vehicle was not possible without compromising its lifetime and so people have been relying on costly and large battery packs in the vehicle. With our unique technology we have achieved a six-minute charge car, and developed smaller battery packs that can deliver more power and charge in less time.”

However, Nyobolt does not give specific details on the weight of the vehicle. The press release says the weight is closer to one than two tonnes. The company further stresses that the technology is not limited to small batteries, but is also suitable for larger packs for electric trucks and buses, for example.

prnewswire.co.uk, nyobolt.com, autocar.co.uk (Lotus)