it looks like we will see significant improvements in battery technology in the last half of this decade.
From today’s WSJ
In the next five years, significant upgrades to the batteries in electric vehicles should finally hit the market. In the works for decades, these changes are likely to mean that by 2030, gas vehicles will cost more than their electric equivalents; some EVs will charge as quickly as filling up at a gas station;
These 'fast charge' statements always make me cringe. They don't provide the needed context for the general public, who is likely unaware that
the battery is not the only limiting factor in charge times.
The batteries can't break the laws of physics, to charge 2x faster, the charging station needs to provide 2x the power (for half the time). And slightly more, as losses will likely be higher when you deliver higher power.
For rough numbers, I found that Tesla's Supercharger will provide 200 miles in 15 minutes, while an ICE/hybrid can be filled for > 300 miles in less than 5 minutes. So to match the 'fill' times of an ICE/hybrid, the EV needs to charge ~ 4~5x faster (and still probably won't get you 300 miles in that time, the 'top off' of those extra miles in an EV is slower).
It's not trivial to deliver 4~5x the current. That requires larger conductors, more heat is generated, etc.
Bottom line, it's just not that simple. And before I get this come-back, sure, if the 'fill up' is combined with a meal or bathroom break, not a big deal. But with the ICE/hybrid, you still have the option of a fast stop if you need/want it. And for home charging, current charge rates are fine, no 'breakthroughs' needed, and homes wouldn't have the power for it anyhow.
-ERD50
