Nyobolt, a University of Cambridge spin-out company, has showcased its high-speed charging batteries in a prototype of an electric sports car, achieving a charge increase from 10% to 80% in less than five minutes, which is twice as fast as the current fastest-charging vehicles on the road.
In addition to the rapid charging capabilities, the batteries created by Nyobolt, which was established in Professor Dame Clare Grey’s lab in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry in 2019, do not encounter the degradation problems typically linked with lithium-ion batteries.
The initial operational Nyobolt EV prototype will be utilized to confirm the company’s battery performance in a high-performance environment.
Nyobolt, based in Cambridge, has utilized its patented anode materials made of carbon and metal oxide, along with a low-impedance cell design, integrated power electronics, and software controls to develop high-capacity battery and charging systems. These systems are designed to support the electrification of heavy-duty off-highway trucks, EVs, robotics, and consumer devices that require high power and fast recharge cycles.
Early testing conducted in vehicles using 350kW (800V) DC fast chargers has verified that the Nyobolt EV’s battery can go from 10% to 80% charge in four minutes and 37 seconds. A full charge allows the prototype to achieve a range of 155 miles, which is twice as fast as the majority of the fastest-charging vehicles available today.
The technology of Nyobolt has been independently tested and it has been confirmed that their batteries are longer-lasting and more sustainable, capable of achieving over 4,000 fast charge cycles or 600,000 miles while maintaining over 80% battery capacity retention. This performance significantly surpasses the warranties of much larger EV batteries currently in use.
“Nyobolt’s low impedance cells ensure we can offer sustainability, stretching out the battery’s usable life for up to 600,000 miles in the case of our technology demonstrator,” said company co-founder and CEO Dr Sai Shivareddy.
The battery pack in the Nyobolt EV prototype not only increases mileage rapidly, but its compact size also facilitates energy-efficient electric vehicles that are more affordable to purchase and operate while also requiring fewer resources to manufacture.
“Nyobolt is removing the obstacle of slow and inconvenient charging, making electrification appealing and accessible to those who don’t have the time for lengthy charging times or space for a home charger,” said Shane Davies, Nyobolt’s director of vehicle battery systems.
Nyobolt’s battery assembly plans are projected to commence production at low volume within a year, with a ramp-up to 1,000 packs in 2025. Moreover, Nyobolt’s adaptable manufacturing model facilitates the production of up to two million cells annually.
Grey and Shivareddy, who developed advanced supercapacitors, have leveraged a decade of battery research to create Nyobolt’s innovative technology. The company’s low-impedance cells produce minimal heat, enabling ultra-fast charging without compromising battery life. Nyobolt’s lithium-ion battery cells feature anode materials that facilitate rapid electron transfer between the anode and cathode.
In addition to engaging with eight vehicle manufacturers to explore the adoption of their technology, Nyobolt’s fast-charging technology is primed for use in robotics later this year.
“Our extensive research here in the UK and in the US has unlocked a new battery technology that is ready and scalable right now,” said Shivareddy. “We are enabling the electrification of new products and services currently considered inviable or impossible. Creating real-world demonstrators, such as the Nyobolt EV, underlines our readiness and commitment to making the industries see that change is possible.”
