• Grass@sh.itjust.works
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    8 months ago

    What car can you even do this? These days I expect the battery to be proprietary with DRM and discontinued by the time it makes sense to replace.

    • MystikIncarnate@lemmy.ca
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      8 months ago

      Right now?

      The only ev I’ve seen powered by LiFePO4 was built by an enthusiast.

      … So the short answer is: you can only build one.

      LiFePO4 batteries are less energy dense than lithium/cobalt, which is what most use (notable example being every Tesla ever), but some use prismatic cells, IIRC. But Cobalt based cells are generally preferred for weight reduction.

      What we need is a battery with the endurance of LiFePO4 and power density that’s as good as, or better than lithium/cobalt cells. Right now that’s the Holy Grail for EVs, and research for such a battery is ongoing. There’s a few that are looking good, but still in fairly early stages of research.

      IMO, if that kind of battery can be developed, or another method to power EVs is proven to be effective and safe, then very quickly after that, ICE cars will stop being produced altogether.