UK-built Nyobolt sports car charges from 10-80% in just 5 minutes
An electric sports car capable of recharging from 10% to 80% in just five minutes has taken to the road for the first time.
The Nyobolt prototype, which was first revealed as a static concept car last year has now begun testing in the real world as its creators look to make the system commercially viable.
The car, based on a Lotus Elise and designed in conjunction with the famous Callum design house, uses innovative cell chemistry and technology developed by Nyobolt to offer ultra-rapid charging and enhanced durability.
Initial in-vehicle testing this month using 350kW (800V) DC chargers confirmed that the Nyobolt’s 35kWh battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in four minutes 37 seconds – with a full 100% charge giving a range of 155 miles. Nyobolt claims: “That is twice the speed of most of the fastest charging vehicles today.”
As well as the speed of charging, Nyobolt says its low-impedance cell technology could slash the level of battery degradation associated with the repeated rapid charging of lithium-ion batteries. Its 24.5Ah cells have already successfully completed over 4,000 full depth of discharge (DoD) fast charge cycles, equating to over 600,000 miles of use, while still retaining over 80 per cent battery capacity. That is many multiples higher than the warranties of much larger EV batteries on the road today.
“Despite some OEMs showing fast charge times in the region of 15 minutes, a closer inspection reveals the charge is usually across a limited SOC region specifically chosen to limit the amount of life taken out of the cell; for instance, between 20 and 80%,” says Nyobolt’s co-founder and CEO, Dr Sai Shivareddy. “Typically, the charge profile will only hold these peak charge levels for a short amount of the charge time. 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.”
As hinted at by the choice of testbed vehicle, Nyobolt is targeting the technology at the sports car and motorsport sectors, where its light weight and rapid recharging times are seen as more important than outright range.
However, it also says the system could be retrofitted to other vehicles, allowing for EV conversions of classic or modern ICE cars.
Shane Davies, Nyobolt’s director of vehicle battery systems, said: “We can enable OEMs to build excitement back into the segment, which is literally weighed down by legacy battery technology currently.
“Our Nyobolt EV demonstrates the efficiency gains facilitated by our fast-charging, longer-life battery technology, enabling capacity to be right-sized while still delivering the required performance.”
The test suggests that the Nyobolt can charge even faster than the Lotus Emeya, which can replenish its 102kWh battery from 10-80% in 14 minutes using a 400kW charger.
