Electrochemistry and the Future of the Automobile

Electrification of the automobile provides a means of sustaining personal mobility in the face of petroleum resource limitations and environmental imperatives. Lithium ion (Li ion) batteries and hydrogen fuel cells provide pure-electrification solutions for different mass and usage segments of automotive application. Battery electric vehicles based on current and targeted Li ion battery technology will be limited to small-vehicle low-mileage-per-day applications; this is due to relatively low specific energy (kWh/kg) and long recharge time constraints. We briefly discuss new generations of Li ion positive and negative electrode intercalation compounds that are needed and under development to achieve energy…