For EV battery makers, it means: go small or go home

 Batteries are already working on developing smaller, more Durable, cheaper future batteries that also load faster. In the race for electric vehicles, automakers are focusing on range to ease consumer concerns about charging infrastructure. Echion Technologies is developing a commercial-scale prototype battery made from niobium anodes.

Startups are experimenting with materials such as silicon carbon, tungsten and niobium, in search of small batteries that can charge extremely quickly. Fast charging combined with widely available chargers will allow automakers to Build cars with smaller batteries at a more affordable price and still increase profits by selling more vehicles to a wider audience.

Early adopters in the high-end market want larger battery packs and longer range because they can afford it. China dominates global production of electric vehicle batteries, and companies like CATL (300750.SZ) are developing batteries that can go further on a single charge.

Chinese automakers have launched small, low-cost electric vehicles such as the Wuling Hongguang Mini. Western startups are working on electrode materials to bring ultra-fast-charging batteries to market. Investments in electric vehicle battery technology jumped more than sixfold from $1.5 billion in 2020 to $9.4 billion in 2021.

As demand for electric vehicles increases while using less cobalt and nickel, China dominates refining and processing. The reduction could ease a looming shortage of battery materials. Another benefit is that automakers can claim sustainability by using fewer harmful materials in electric vehicles and emitting less carbon dioxide in the manufacturing process.

Ford wants to use the smallest possible battery to achieve competitive range in its next-generation electric vehicles from 2026. Others are squeezing more efficiency from existing batteries, such as Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) already using its 1,000km range EQXX prototype.

Fast charging today is limited by the ability of EV batteries to draw current quickly. Fast charging can shorten battery life or cause it to overheat, so most EVs limit charging speeds to protect them. Niobium is a stable metal often used to strengthen steel - the world's largest deposits are in Brazil and Canada.

Nyobolt focuses on high-performance racing electric vehicles, which Shivareddy said will require years of validation before automakers are ready to use its batteries in mass-market models. Echion's niobium anodes, located a few kilometers from Nyobolt, were initially used in commercial electric vehicles that required continuous operation and fast charging.

Brazilian miner CBMM dominates niobium production and has invested in Echion and other start-ups. CBMM is testing Niobium with other companies, including battery materials company Nano One (NANO.TO), Toshiba (6502.T) and Volkswagen Brazil subsidiary Volkswagen Caminhoes e Onibus.

Niobium isn't the only material Group14 Technologies is exploring. Silicon-carbon anode materials can increase the energy of lithium-ion batteries by 50%. The company raised $400 million from investors in May. Group14 CEO Rick Luebbe said its anode material could enable fast charging of electric vehicles in five minutes.

Michigan-based startup Our Next Energy (ONE) has developed its Gemini battery using a standard lithium iron phosphate (LFP) traction battery and a more advanced and More expensive chemical low, mid and high range options. "Ultimately, the market determines the right range,\' said CEO Mujeeb Ijaz.

The average American car drives less than 30 miles a day. In Europe, the average is less than half. Isobel Sheldon, chief strategy officer at British battery company Britishvolt, said that if EV owners realize they are paying more than they need, there will be less demand for range.

Batteries are already working on developing smaller, more Durable, cheaper future batteries that also load faster. In the race for electric vehicles, automakers are focusing on range to ease consumer concerns about charging infrastructure. Echion Technologies is developing a commercial-scale prototype battery made from niobium anodes.

Startups are experimenting with materials such as silicon carbon, tungsten and niobium, in search of small batteries that can charge extremely quickly. Fast charging combined with widely available chargers will allow automakers to Build cars with smaller batteries at a more affordable price and still increase profits by selling more vehicles to a wider audience.

Early adopters in the high-end market want larger battery packs and longer range because they can afford it. China dominates global production of electric vehicle batteries, and companies like CATL (300750.SZ) are developing batteries that can go further on a single charge.

Chinese automakers have launched small, low-cost electric vehicles such as the Wuling Hongguang Mini. Western startups are working on electrode materials to bring ultra-fast-charging batteries to market. Investments in electric vehicle battery technology jumped more than sixfold from $1.5 billion in 2020 to $9.4 billion in 2021.

As demand for electric vehicles increases while using less cobalt and nickel, China dominates refining and processing. The reduction could ease a looming shortage of battery materials. Another benefit is that automakers can claim sustainability by using fewer harmful materials in electric vehicles and emitting less carbon dioxide in the manufacturing process.

Ford wants to use the smallest possible battery to achieve competitive range in its next-generation electric vehicles from 2026. Others are squeezing more efficiency from existing batteries, such as Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) already using its 1,000km range EQXX prototype.

Fast charging today is limited by the ability of EV batteries to draw current quickly. Fast charging can shorten battery life or cause it to overheat, so most EVs limit charging speeds to protect them. Niobium is a stable metal often used to strengthen steel - the world's largest deposits are in Brazil and Canada.

Nyobolt focuses on high-performance racing electric vehicles, which Shivareddy said will require years of validation before automakers are ready to use its batteries in mass-market models. Echion's niobium anodes, located a few kilometers from Nyobolt, were initially used in commercial electric vehicles that required continuous operation and fast charging.

Brazilian miner CBMM dominates niobium production and has invested in Echion and other start-ups. CBMM is testing Niobium with other companies, including battery materials company Nano One (NANO.TO), Toshiba (6502.T) and Volkswagen Brazil subsidiary Volkswagen Caminhoes e Onibus.

Niobium isn't the only material Group14 Technologies is exploring. Silicon-carbon anode materials can increase the energy of lithium-ion batteries by 50%. The company raised $400 million from investors in May. Group14 CEO Rick Luebbe said its anode material could enable fast charging of electric vehicles in five minutes.

Michigan-based startup Our Next Energy (ONE) has developed its Gemini battery using a standard lithium iron phosphate (LFP) traction battery and a more advanced and More expensive chemical low, mid and high range options. "Ultimately, the market determines the right range,\' said CEO Mujeeb Ijaz.

The average American car drives less than 30 miles a day. In Europe, the average is less than half. Isobel Sheldon, chief strategy officer at British battery company Britishvolt, said that if EV owners realize they are paying more than they need, there will be less demand for range.