US Military Edging Closer To Electric Vehicles, One Step At A Time

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The US Division of Protection has been achingly gradual so as to add electrical automobiles to its huge fleet. Nevertheless, indicators of exercise have been stirring amongst automotive and battery stakeholders with an curiosity in protection contracts. The newest instance is the US silicon battery agency Amprius Applied sciences, which has nailed down a slot within the xTechPrime Competitors hosted by the US Military.

Award-Successful Batteries For Electrical Autos, Ultimately

To be clear, the XtechPrime award doesn’t imply that the US Military is able to run proper out and purchase a complete fleet of latest electrical automobiles outfitted with silicon batteries. Amprius makes silicon lithium-ion batteries for varied purposes which can be related to DOD purposes, however not electrical automobiles — but.

“Amprius Technologies’ high-performance lithium-ion batteries are currently being used in premium and mission critical applications and will soon expand to EV and consumer applications as our manufacturing capacity grows,” the corporate states on its web site.

That day seems to be edging nearer, primarily based on Amprius’s monitor report thus far. “Our commercially available 370 Wh/kg silicon anode battery demonstrated extreme fast charge rate of 0-80% state of charge in less than six minutes,” Amprius provides.

In the meantime, the xTechPrime award has supported a $1.9 million contract for Amprius to develop its 500 Wh/kg SiMaxx™ cell for electric mobility applications within the protection sector.

In the intervening time, that in all probability means plane. Amprius has partnered with the US agency AeroVironment to combine the brand new battery into its solar-powered, autonomous excessive altitude pseudo satellite tv for pc (HAPS).

“Our partnership with Amprius allows AV to field our solar stratospheric platforms with the highest payload capability in its class: 150 lb mass and 1500W continuous power,” explains the VP and Common Supervisor of AeroVironment’s HAPS division.

How Severe Is The US Military About Electrical Autos?

Nonetheless, the provision of a quick charging, 500 Wh/kg battery means that navy electrical automobiles are nearer than they had been simply a few years in the past. In any case, the purpose of the xTechPrime Competitors is to encourage small companies to contribute to the modernization targets of the US Military, together with car electrification.

“Amprius’ industry-leading 500 Wh/kg, 1300 Wh/L SiMaxx cell… provides approximately double the energy compared to conventional cells,” Amprius emphasizes.

“The continued partnership with the Department of Defense accelerates the development of critical capabilities and strengthens the U.S. supply chain,” they add.

When you caught that factor about continued partnership, that’s a reference to an ongoing DOD transportable battery modernization mission that entails Amprius.

“Although the Army has been slow to adopt battery-powered electric vehicles, it is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to lighten the heavy load of portable batteries carried around by the modern soldier to power their increasingly large stock of portable electronic gear,” CleanTechnica famous earlier this 12 months, including that drone expertise has additionally stimulated the demand for next-generation batteries that weigh much less and last more.

The Silicon Answer

Each the Protection Division and the US Division of Power have been focusing the seek for higher batteries on siliconas a higher-performance replacement for the graphite generally utilized in battery anodes.

There being no such factor as a free lunch, silicon isn’t a magic potion. It has taken a while to develop a silicon-based materials that may face up to a whole bunch of charging cycles. The Power Division’s Pacific Northwest Nationwide Laboratory, for instance, was engaged on a silicon “sponge” all the best way again in 2010.

All that arduous work is starting to repay. In 2021, Amprius Applied sciences received a contract with the Fast Capabilities and Essential Applied sciences Workplace of the US Military to develop its silicon battery to be used in drones. The contract additionally included growing silicon battery cells that complement the Military’s new form-fitting battery vests.

A big milestone occurred in 2022, when the battery handed a required nail penetration take a look at.

Extra Silicon Batteries For Electrical Autos

The xTechPrime Competition additionally yielded one other indication of the Military’s curiosity in electrical automobiles. Among the many different awardees is the 100% silicon anode specialist GDI, which partnered with the main protection battery contractor Navitas Techniques to enter the competitors.

“GDI’s silicon anode can increase the energy density of Li-ion batteries by over 30% and triple their charging speed compared to those with graphite-based anodes,” GDI explains. “The anodes can operate in low temperatures and will enable increased safety of cells, as demonstrated in recent 3rd party nail penetration testing.”

Along with electrical automobiles, GDI is aiming to electrifying the whole lot from aviation to yard tools.

Whether or not or not the Protection Division is able to up the ante on electrical automobiles, GDI is prepping for the market. The agency, which is headquartered in New York, has arrange a pilot scale, roll-to-roll manufacturing facility within the Netherlands in partnership with the high tech materials firm AGCas a primary step to commercial-scale manufacturing in Lauenförde, Germany.

What About Gasoline Cell Electrical Autos?

Sure, what about them? Indicators of US navy curiosity in gasoline cell electrical automobiles have emerged every now and then over time. In 2017 the Division of Power took observe of the Protection Division’s hydrogen fuel cell activitiesalthough not a lot progress on the appliance to gasoline cell electrical automobiles has crossed the CleanTechnica radar thus far.

One fascinating improvement occurred again in 2018, when the US Military Tank Automotive Analysis, Growth and Engineering Heart (TARDEC) deployed a Common Motors Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 gasoline cell car to get some extra soldier suggestions.

“Previous ZH2 evaluations involved Soldiers at the squad and platoon levels, while this latest exercise involved an entire battalion-sized element,” TARDEC defined.

“The ZH2, fitted with a hydrogen fuel cell and electric drive, has a stealthy drive system which produces a very low smoke, noise, odor and thermal signature. This allows Soldiers to conduct silent watch and silent mobility missions on the battlefield,” TARDEC added.

I’ll be reaching out to TARDEC to see if there was a follow-up program. In the meantime, the ZH2 acquired props for exporting sufficient energy to run the squadron Tactical Operations Heart whereas parked, offering a noise-free, easier-to-maintain various to diesel mills.

That was not the tip of GM’s curiosity in gasoline cell electrical automobiles,. Earlier this 12 months the corporate supplied an replace on a gasoline cell pilot mission aimed toward eliminating air pollution at worksites, centered on a fleet of medium-duty hydrogen gasoline cell vehicles and inexperienced hydrogen manufacturing.

“Built on a similar frame to the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 5500 MD, these field evaluation fleet trucks will be powered by HYDROTEC fuel cell systems,” GM defined.

“Since fuel cells are lightweight and enable large payloads, excellent range, quiet operation and rapid refueling, they can meet the needs of the heaviest duty applications,” GM elaborated.

If the Chevy Silverado rings a bell, GM’s Protection department pitched a gasoline cell model of the car to the Military about six years in the past, as a successor to the Colorado demonstration mission. That concept additionally appears to have fallen by the wayside, although the Military started showcasing a prototype gasoline cell electrical car for emergency response final 12 months, engineered by the brand new Accelera department of Cummins.

Alternatives for producing green hydrogen on site may assist stimulate extra exercise within the navy gasoline cell discipline, so keep tuned for extra on that.

Picture (cropped) The Protection Division has been gradual to undertake electrical automobiles, however new silicon EV battery technology may assist pace issues up (courtesy of Pacific Northwest Nationwide Laboratory).