In recent news, Addionics, a startup focused on improving EV batteries, has developed a new foil current collector with the backing of General Motors’ GM Ventures venture-capital arm. This innovative new component aims to make EV batteries cheaper by improving battery-level efficiency and potentially doubling lifespan.
## Addionics Introduces New Foil Current Collector
Current collectors are a crucial component in battery cells as they help gather ions, but they have seen little change in the past 30 years. Addionics has created aluminum and copper foils with tiny holes and undulating peaks and valleys to enhance this process. By utilizing techniques from the semiconductor industry such as electroetching for aluminum foil and electricity deposition for copper, the startup has developed a three-dimensional current collector that is easy to manufacture and improves overall battery efficiency.
## Addionics’ Plans for U.S. Factory
The startup, backed by GM Ventures, has announced plans to build a $400 million factory in the U.S. This move is expected to not only reduce costs and increase efficiency but also potentially help automakers meet federal EV tax credit requirements for domestically sourced content. Addionics has also secured letters of intent from unnamed automakers, indicating strong interest in their innovative battery components.
## Impact on EV Battery Industry
As the electric vehicle market continues to expand, the need for more affordable and efficient batteries is crucial. While some analysts predict a 40% decrease in EV battery prices, Addionics believes further innovations are needed to make EVs truly affordable. By focusing on enhancing the current collector component, Addionics is aiming to play a significant role in driving down costs and improving battery performance in the EV industry.
## Potential Benefits for the Automotive Industry
With the promise of longer-lasting and more efficient batteries, Addionics’ technology could have a significant impact on the automotive industry. Automakers are constantly searching for ways to reduce costs and improve the performance of EVs to make them more appealing to consumers. By incorporating Addionics’ innovative current collector technology into their batteries, automakers may be able to achieve these goals and drive further adoption of electric vehicles.
## Future of Addionics
As Addionics continues to develop and commercialize their new foil current collector technology, the startup is poised to make a significant impact on the EV battery industry. With the backing of GM Ventures and plans to build a U.S. factory, Addionics is well-positioned to drive innovation and bring affordable, high-performance batteries to the market. The success of Addionics could lead to advancements in EV technology and help accelerate the transition to electric vehicles worldwide.