Robert Bosch GmbH and its partners BASF, Wacker Chemie AG, SGL Group, Daimler AG and BMW AG have launched the 3-year, €32.5-million (US$43 million) Alpha-Laion project to develop high-energy traction batteries for electric vehicles. Bosch is the project lead. The aim of the project is to raise the energy density of lithium-ion cells to about 250 Wh/kg.
This could increase the range of compact electric cars to 250 to 300 kilometers (155 to 186 miles); or, conversely, reduce the pack size, weight and cost for lower range solutions.
The Alpha-Laion project is looking at innovative materials for cathodes, anodes, separators and high-voltage stable electrolytes.
The joint project is one of the flagship projects of Germany’s National Platform for Electric Mobility and is funded with €13 million (US$17.3 million) over three years from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi). The consortium partners provide cost share in the amount of approximately €19.5 million (US$26 million).