Skip to main content

Developments in super-capacitors will see them replacing batteries

Developments in super-capacitors will see these replacing batteries in applications such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. New generation super-capacitors are said to be more reliable, less costly, less affected by temperature variance and also safer. Super-capacitors have been recognised for their high power density, long lifetime and low internal resistance, and they can be constructed from commonly available, low cost materials. In the recently updated IDTechEx report "Supercapacitor/ Ultracap
January 20, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Developments in super-capacitors will see these replacing batteries in applications such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. New generation super-capacitors are said to be more reliable, less costly, less affected by temperature variance and also safer. Super-capacitors have been recognised for their high power density, long lifetime and low internal resistance, and they can be constructed from commonly available, low cost materials.

In the recently updated IDTechEx report "Supercapacitor/ Ultracapacitor Interviews, Strategies, Road Map 2014-2024" www.idtechex.com/superApps, the IDTechEx roadmap has graphene active electrodes promising up to 200 Wh/kg, ahead of current lithium-ion batteries. Super-capacitors and their derivatives super-cabatteries (asymmetric electrochemical double layer capacitors AEDLC), particularly the lithium-ion capacitor versions, are widening in application.

The reports says that the European electric vehicle industry is weakened by having to import lithium-ion batteries from Japan, China and Korea to get the best price/performance for mass markets. However, Europe could also stay weak in super-capacitors, as investors are failing to see that super-capacitors are increasingly key enabling components for EVs and other applications. There are exceptions such as Maxwell Technologies, which has used super-capacitors in pure electric buses in China. WIMA of Germany has sold huge water-cooled, energy harvesting super-capacitors to 2300 Komatsu for use in construction machines. But Europe continues to be a net importer of super-capacitors.

For more information on companies in this article

Komatsu

Related Content

  • Innovations in power systems for industry
    September 19, 2019
    Major innovations in power systems and drivelines are offering increased efficiency and reduced emissions for the future of construction machines - Mike Woof writes
  • Advanced, low emission, fuel efficient earthmoving
    February 23, 2012
    Manufacturers are rolling out sophisticated machines for the European, North American and Japanese markets - Mike Woof reports. This year has been a pivotal period for the development of advanced, low emission earthmoving machines. During 2011 an array of manufacturers have introduced new models designed to comply with the latest Stage IIIB/Tier 4 Interim emissions regulations introduced for
  • Engine improvements for decarbonisation
    June 5, 2024
    As the need for decarbonisation becomes more pressing, engine firms are looking ahead to the next step for power systems, writes Mike Woof.
  • Key innovations in engines and drivelines technology at Conexpo 2014
    April 22, 2014
    Engines and drivelines technologies have move forward, as could be seen at Conexpo 2014 - Geoff Ascroft reports Solutions for Tier 4 Final emissions regulations dominated Conexpo 2014, with many firms showing off their options of DOC, DPF and SCR after-treatments. Deutz, while staying with an SCR-only solution, took a more unusual approach on its high horsepower V6 12litre and V8 16litre engines. Both get a dual SCR after treatment system to meet Tier 4 Final emission standards. Using a dual SCR system,