$2.9m investment in car battery

A new generation of nanoscale cathode materials, developed by Australian scientists, is set to revolutionise electric vehicles globally. It will enable electric vehicles to be recharged in about the same time it takes to fill a tank of petrol. Drivers will no longer have to recharge overnight or swap batteries to keep on the road.

The technology developed by Australian company VSPC Ltd (Very Small Particle Company) is commercialising nanoscale complex metal oxides using its own manufacturing process. The company will develop nanoscale lithium ion phosphate (LFP) for use in better performing, safer, more environmentally friendly and faster recharging batteries for hybrid and electric cars.

The federal government through its Green Car Innovation Fund (GCIF) has confirmed a commitment to invest $2.09 million in VSPC to accelerate the final development of VSPC's electric car batteries. The money will be used to optimise VSPC's technology to enable manufacturing to be scaled up to commercial production levels.

VSPC's technology has already received international attention from the world's motor vehicle industry and battery manufacturers, all of which are pushing for market leadership in the development of electric vehicles that are cheaper to run, safer and more reliable.

The use of nanoscale cathode materials can greatly enhance battery performance and these materials can account for up to 40% of the cost of a battery.