A recent patent filed by Tesla suggests that the manufacturer may have found a way to extend the lifespan of batteries. With a formula of “doped manganese,” the brand hopes to better preserve cell capacity after 50 charge cycles.
Like most automakers, Tesla aims to extend the lifespan of its batteries. However, this essential element of electric cars also sparks controversy, with some consumers concerned about premature wear.
Soon, manganese-doped cells?
Although experts at ADAC have already proven that a 77 kWh battery in an ID.3 still had a capacity of 93% after 100,000 km, Tesla aims to go even further by “doping” its cells. The American company believes it has found a way to prolong the lifespan of its batteries.
With manganese-rich cells, Tesla estimates it can “better preserve battery capacity up to 50 cycles.” In the filed patent, Elon Musk’s company states that “doping the active materials of manganese-rich cathodes can limit cell degradation and subsequent capacity weakening.”
The company even believes that these doped manganese-rich cathode active materials can “improve cycle life and capacity retention in energy storage devices.” These materials, such as LiMn2O4, are considered an interesting option due to their low cost, high voltage, and relatively low environmental impact.
It would be interesting to better preserve battery capacity after 50 cycles! It is still far from sufficient even if degradation slows down, allowing the battery to still have decent retention at much higher cycles. Undoubtedly, research is moving in the right direction.
But this is Tesla, and we know that tangible results can take a long time to appear in production models. Patience will be needed.