When the Sun is blazing and the wind is blowing, Germanyβs solar and wind power plants swing into high gear. For nine days in July 2023, renewables produced more than 70 percent of the electricity generated in the country; there are times when wind turbines even need to be turned off to avoid overloading the grid.
But on other days, clouds mute solar energy down to a flicker and wind turbines languish. For nearly a week in January 2023, renewable energy generation fell to less than 30 percent of the nationβs total, and gas-, oil- and coal-powered plants revved up to pick up the slack.
Germans call these periods Dunkelflauten, meaning βdark doldrums,β and they can last for a week or longer. Theyβre a major concern for doldrum-afflicted places like Germany and parts of the United States as nations increasingly push renewable-energy development. Solar and wind combined contribute 40 percent of overall energy generation in Germany and 15 percent in the US and, as of December 2024, both countries have goals of becoming 100 percent clean-energy-powered by 2035.
For many industries, lithium batteries just donβt cut it β theyβre getting increasingly expensive, require too much space, and sometimes they are just overkill for many industrial use cases. Thermal batteries, on the other hand, can store energy in the form of heat for long periods, are often cheaper to invest in and deploy, and [β¦]
To maximize your EV battery's lifespan, don't overcharge it, an electric-vehicle expert told Business Insider.
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
EV owners experience range anxiety despite advancements in mileage numbers and charging speeds.
Maintaining battery health requires optimal charging levels and managing temperature and speed.
This article is part of "Getting Ready for Electric," a series of guides and practical advice for buying your next EV.
Electric vehicles have come a long way since their debut about 15 years ago. One of the first EVs, the Nissan Leaf, had just over 120 miles of range. Meanwhile, many of today's EVs boast 400-plus miles on a single charge.
That hasn't stopped EV owners from feeling what's known as "range anxiety." If your gas tank says you have only 50 miles left, there's comfort in knowing you can quickly find a gas station and fuel up in five minutes. With electric, though, "drivers tend to watch the miles-remaining estimate way more than they did in the gas car," John Higham, a board member of the Electric Vehicle Association, said.
So for many consumers who have purchased an electric vehicle, or are ready to take the plunge, range is a big factor. How do you keep your car's range going strong?
You don't need to become an engineer or battery expert to keep your EV in top shape. Following a few simple tips can help you make the most of your car.
As Higham said: "Arming yourself with a few facts will help alleviate some anxiety."
Find the charging sweet spot
Best practices for charging your car depend on which vehicle you have and the composition of its battery.
"When you buy or lease an EV, the dealer or manufacturer" lets you know "the best charging level for the vehicle," said Ingrid Malmgren, a senior policy director at Plug In America, an organization focused on EV education, advocacy, and research.
For many vehicles, keeping the battery charged between 20% and 80% can minimize stress on the battery cells, according to Aatish Patel, the president and cofounder of XCharge North America, a provider of EV charging solutions.
Think of it like charging your phone, said Mark Barrott, a partner in the automotive and mobility practice at the consulting firm Plante Moran. Leaving your phone plugged in for a long time after it's reached 100% can overcharge the battery and could reduce its capacity over time.
On the flip side, other vehicles and batteries function better when charged to 100%, Malmgren said.
She and Higham advised reading the owner's manual and following the manufacturer's recommendations for charging your car.
EV owners don't necessarily need to shy away from fast chargers. In extreme circumstances, like if the battery is under 5% or over 90%, fast charging could stress the battery, Malmgren said. But her organization has seen many EV drivers who used fast chargers for years and didn't see abnormal battery loss.
Car and battery makers have also refined the technology so that batteries can accept charge much faster. At this point, the time to charge your EV is similar to how long it takes to fill your gas tank, Barrott said. That helps with range anxiety, since a low battery doesn't mean you'll be waiting hours before you can get on the road again.
Regulate your car's temperature and speeds
Modern EVs are designed to maintain their own temperatures, but you can help further that. If possible, park in the shade when it's hot or inside a garage if it's cold.
Range can decrease in colder temperatures. It's a best practice not to leave your car with a nearly zero charge in extremely cold weather. Owning an EV in a cold climate isn't a dealbreaker, though.
"Hey, over 95% of car sales in Norway are electric, where it actually gets cold," Higham said. "EVs do work in the cold. You just need to know how they are affected."
You can also regulate your car's speeds, accelerating and braking smoothly when it's safe to do so, which helps prolong the vehicle's range. Aggressive acceleration can wear on the battery over time, Patel said.
Carmakers are betting big on EVs
The technology continues to advance as the auto industry invests in electric vehicles. Carmakers, battery manufacturers, and charging providers continue to look for ways to lengthen range, "working together in concert to design solutions that make sense," Barrott said.
If you're already an EV owner and suspect your car's range may be declining, contact your dealer or manufacturer. Technicians can check out your car, and there may be software updates to make the vehicle more efficient. Battery replacements, which are extremely rare, may be covered under warranty.
But for the most part, unless you spot a big red flag, experts say you don't need to worry about your car's battery health or have anxiety about your EV's range. Stick to the manufacturer's recommendations for charging, and do your best to avoid extreme temperatures or speeds.
"Focusing on proper habits ensures you get the most out of your EV for years to come," Patel said.
Sodium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage are moving toward the mainstream. Wider use of these batteries could lead to lower costs, less fire risk, and less need for lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
On November 18, CATL, the worldβs largest battery manufacturer, announced its second-generation sodium-ion battery, mass production of which would begin in 2027. The China-based company said the new battery has an energy density of 200 watt-hours per kilogram, which is an increase from 160 watt-hours per kilogram for the previous generation that launched in 2021. Higher energy density in an EV battery translates into more driving range.
On Nov. 21, a consortium of seven US national laboratories announced a new initiative in which they would spend $50 million to foster collaboration to accelerate the development of sodium-ion batteries. The partnership is led by Argonne National Laboratory in the Chicago area.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is on a loan-approval spree in the lead-up to President-elect Donald Trumpβs inauguration, and the winners are all companies manufacturing clean energy solutions on U.S. soil. Companies like Stellantis and Samsung, Rivian, and most recently, EVgo. Trump has promised to cancel any unspent federal dollars under President Joe Bidenβs Inflation [β¦]
General Motors is selling its stake in the nearly completed Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Lansing, Michigan, to its joint venture partner LG Energy Solution (LGES). GMβs step back from the factory comes amid weakening electric vehicle demand and the potential rollback of Biden administration incentives to produce clean energy domestically.Β GM and LGES [β¦]
Battery tech is pivotal as the world leans into electrification to power decarbonization in the race against climate change. But rising demand is putting more attention on the limits and drawbacks of current generation lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology. This is where Cambridge University spin-out Molyon hopes to come in: the U.K. startup is developing next-gen [β¦]
Northvolt's factory in northern Sweden makes EV batteries.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images
EV battery maker Northvolt has entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, it said on Thursday.
The Swedish firm, founded by two ex-Tesla executives, has struggled amid stuttering demand for EVs.
Northvolt's CEO and cofounder Peter Carlsson will step down as part of the bankruptcy process.
Northvolt, the battery company founded by two former Tesla executives, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after struggling to ramp up production.
Sweden-based Northvolt said on Thursday that it voluntarily entered bankruptcy proceedings in the US, which will allow it to restructure debt and obtain new investment.
Soon after the bankruptcy was announced, CEO Peter Carlsson, one of Northvolt's founders, said he would step down as part of the process.
Bankruptcy documents showed Northvolt had about $5.8 billion of debt, and just $30 million in available cash βΒ enough to fund its operations for about seven days.
Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Microsoft were all listed as creditors in bankruptcy documents. It had raised more than $15 billion since its foundation in 2016.
Northvolt said it has secured extra funding of about $245 million, including $145 million in cash, and a $100 million commitment from a customer to provide a debtor-in-possession loan β a specialized credit line for firms going through bankruptcy.
"This decisive step will allow Northvolt to continue its mission to establish a homegrown, European industrial base for battery production," said Tom Johnstone, Northvolt's interim chair, in a statement.
"Despite near-term challenges, this action to strengthen our capital structure will allow us to capture the continued market demand for vehicle electrification."
Northvolt will continue operating during the bankruptcy proceedings.
The firm's bankruptcy comes after difficulties in ramping up battery production at its facility in SkellefteΓ₯, Sweden, close to the Arctic Circle. In June, BMW pulled out of a $2.1 billion order for battery cells for its EVs, citing delays to deliveries.
Volkswagen, Europe's largest car company, is considering the closure of factories in Germany for the first time and cutting tens of thousands of jobs. VW faces stuttering demand in Europe and has lost market share in China to local rivals selling cheaper EVs and hybrids.
