Driving a Tesla? I helped design its batteries.

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Is there anyone here who owns a Tesla? Or who's dreaming of one?

Yes?

Then you may be interested in some of the work I did about two years ago. I, together with co-authors Dr. Hall and Dr. Dahn, am one of the main reasons why Elon Musk said that the batteries that'll be put into Tesla vehicles in 2020 will last a million miles, or 1.6 million km.

During my research, the three of us developed a new battery electrolyte chemistry that greatly increases longevity beyond anything you'll find in a typical production Li-ion cell. It will last 3,000+ full charge/discharge cycles before its useful working life is over, which, in a typical electric vehicle, means that it'll last well over a million kilometers. (For contrast, the average gasoline vehicle will last around 300,000 km).

Since the Model 3 is engineered to last about 1.6 million km, the biggest problem you'll likely have with the EV is likely to be: did you choose your favourite colour when you first bought it?

(Full disclosure: I have already pre-ordered a Cybertruck, so I may be biased)

This is pretty neat.

Your bio says you're 21. Goodness gracious, how early a start did you get?

Also--will electric cars ever become cheap enough for poor people to own them, and will they ever make a small lightweight one? I hate driving big fancy cars--slow, small, and agile is how I like them.

Congratulations, Glflegolas!

This is the perfect story to read at the beginning of a brand new year. It's a reminder to all of us that if we follow our passions, believe in ourselves, and work hard, we can make the world a better place. Buying a Tesla is definitely on my bucket list. Thank you for helping to develop this battery, and I wish you success on your future projects.

Cool! My uncle has a Tesla.

I heard there was a new super battery in development. Good work!

Will they enable the vehicles to go further on a single charge? Is brilliant that they will last so long. Very clever.

Wow! You sound extremely clever!

Will it use something other that lithium?

A Tesla came into the shop the other day and I was amazed that what appeared to be a credit card like object was used to start the vehicle. I also looked at the where the door handles were and I was puzzled how they worked because they were flush with the door lol. That was the first time I saw a Tesla up close and personal

Congradulations Glflegolas


I knew there must aspies out there somewhere working on CC solutions. Better batteries are a critical need. Keep up the good work.

My last special interest was EVs. I have a Chevy Bolt, but a Tesla is on my bucket list.

Any plans to incorporate graphene batteries into EV's? Samsung is supposed to release their graphene batteries in a year or two. Are the electric motors rated for 1 million+ km's as well? I'd love to have a model 3, though I don't know if I'll ever get a chance to.

Oof, I take it easy for a couple weeks and I get hit by a thousand questions? Hmph. Guess that's life in the 2020s for ya...

@Noca: The motors in the model 3 are rated for 1.6 million km. Graphene is not currently in the works because it's too hard to make in large quantity.

@Tollorin: It is a lithium ion battery.

@smudge: It took you that long to figure this out?! (just kidding!)

@Mountain Goat: not yet, but range is not a problem for most people driving EV's, because how often do you drive more than 450 km at once?

@Borromeo: I've been working in chemistry since the age of 18. And EV's are already the cheapest kind of vehicle to own over the long run.

Cool!

I think I want to make my own EV. The current Teslas are really not my style...if I wanted a computer I'd build a gaming PC and put casters on it.

My plan was to use a Model T Ford chassis, replacing the engine & semiautomatic transmission with a conventional electric motor and KC Warford aftermarket Ford transmission. (If I can't find a Warford or Muncie transmission I was going to use a Ruckstell transaxle on the rear.)

Replacing the Model T transmission means I would need aftermarket brakes such as A-C or Rocky Mountain Brakes.

The body would either be a 1917-1925 Ford closed car body, wooden frame replaced by aluminum, or a homebuilt one. I would lose the radiator & hood (No need on an electric, right?) and fabricate a cover for the electric motor. Batteries would go under the seat where the gasoline tank would have been mounted.

In the meantime I'm still driving my '96 Corolla.