Power Improved ZEBRA Battery for Zero Emission Vehicles 960445
The ZEBRA Battery is a high energy battery developed for powering a ZEV. The electrode materials used for production are salt (NaCl) and nickel (Ni) in combination with a ceramic electrolyte. During charging the salt is decomposed to sodium (Na) and nickelchloride (NiCl2) is formed. During discharge salt is formed in the reverse reaction.
This battery realizes an energy density of more than 90 Wh/kg which exceeds the USABC mid-term goals. These goals were set to achieve a ZEV with acceptable range and performance. The ZEBRA Battery has demonstrated the other USABC mid-term goals:
1.200 cycles in vehicle operation, more than 8 years in an accelerated calendar life test and recharge time of less than 6 hours. Due to the thermal management environmental conditions of -30 °C to +65 °C do not cause any problems. In order to meet also the power and cost goals a program has been started. Two approaches for power improvement at 80 % DOD show promising results: The geometric approach by increasing the surface area of the ceramic electrolyte and the chemical approach by addititives to the cathode composition.
