Tell HN: I think I found Toyota's battery

Article summary

A recent article mentioned Toyota's breakthrough in battery technology, but lacked a reference to a specific paper. The author found a relevant paper published in Nature Materials, which describes a cathode with high dimensional stability, suitable for use with a solid electrolyte. The cathode is made of vanadium and titanium, and the battery has a high energy density of 750 Wh/kg. This development could potentially lead to significant improvements in electric vehicles.

Main themes

• battery technology
• electric vehicles
• standardization
• charging infrastructure
• sustainability
• innovation

What commenters say

• The new battery technology could triple the energy storage of electric vehicles, making them more viable for long-distance travel.
• The development of solid-state batteries is crucial for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, but standardization of battery swapping is also necessary.
• Some argue that swappable batteries would be inferior to fixed ones in terms of weight, size, and aerodynamics, and that fast charging is a better solution.
• Others believe that standardized swappable batteries would be beneficial for consumers, allowing for easier replacement and upgrade of batteries, but the economic model for this is unclear.
• The cost of lithium and other materials could increase as demand for electric vehicles grows, making batteries more expensive.
• Electric vehicles are already cheaper to operate and maintain than gasoline-powered vehicles, and their range and efficiency are improving rapidly.
• The lack of standardization in battery technology and charging infrastructure is a significant obstacle to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
• Some commentators are skeptical about the benefits of new battery technologies and argue that they may not be as significant as claimed, and that other factors like charging infrastructure are more important.