Researchers at the University of Bristol have made “astounding” sodium and potassium ion batteries, using sustainably sourced cellulose, that they predict will beat next-generation lithium batteries and for a fraction of the price. Steve Eichhorn, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Bristol, said: “We now hope to collaborate with industries to develop this strategy on an industrial scale.”
In a poll of 2,031 Express.co.uk readers, held from January 7 to 8, a huge 83 percent of voters said the Prime Minister should invest in the development of the new British batteries. One reader commented: “Anything that might reduce the price of electric vehicles is to be welcomed.”
Another, Bishop K, said: “Better to fund, than to see a potentially lucrative technology lost.”
Overall vehicle export revenues to all markets reached £27bn in 2020, even as the Covid pandemic disrupted trade flows and shut down markets around the world.
The UK automotive sector as a whole generated a total trade revenue of £74bn, with more than 80% of British-built cars and more than 60% of light commercial vehicles destined for export.
The SMMT hopes for caps on energy prices in recognition of the importance of the new generation of electric cars to the country’s climate emergency goals.
“Production of batteries, for instance, is a capital-intensive energy industry. It’s also an energy intensive industry. So being regarded as a energy intensive user would potentially allow us to take greater advantage of caps on energy.”
The industry has energy efficiency targets in place through climate change agreements with the Environment Agency that enable some energy discounting.
But Hawes said: “We are still disadvantaged compared with some of our European colleagues.”
While the UK is looking to join an Asia-Pacific free trade area, Takahashi said it was unlikely that it would mean more Nissan cars directly exported from the UK. “It’s much cheaper to send it from Japan – and when we think about carbon cycle, the shipment is a big part of the emissions.”
Miyuki Takahashi, Nissan’s general manager for government affairs, told an SMMT conference on Tuesday that trading agreements between the UK and EU were “crucial and indispensable to sustain our business”, which includes its Sunderland manufacturing plant employing 6,000 people.
Many voters emphasised that the new technology should remain British-owned and not be sold to the highest bidder worldwide.
One voter remarked: “Provide any funding to wholly-owned British companies only so that any technological advances are to the benefit of the British Economy.”
Another voter, Paul, agreed: “Any development made must remain the property of the UK and can never be sold on the open market.”
Some readers backed the development of the batteries but said investment should be made by private corporations, not from the Government purse.
Another reader commented: “Any type of cheaper alternative is worth exploring, but let the companies who develop and supply them pay, not the taxpayer.”
A majority of voters, 59 percent, said they would consider buying an electric vehicle if sodium and potassium batteries come on the market, whilst 25 percent said they would not, and 16 percent were not sure.
But there was opposition to the idea of electric cars in general, as 15 percent of voters said the Prime Minister should not provide financial backing to the University of Bristol’s project.
One Source reader asked: “Why bother wasting money to produce a cheaper battery for cars if the UK doesn’t have the capacity or infrastructure to charge them all?”
In the UK there are 18,098 electric charging stations, with 722 new charging devices added in the last 30 days and more being added week on week.
Voter Caerurfa said: “The ‘experts’ keep telling us that ‘filling up’ with electricity is much cheaper than petrol or diesel.
“In capitalist markets the price of most things is arrived at through supply and demand, if and when an electric infrastructure is in place to service millions of electric vehicles, the price of electricity will likely go through the roof.”
