Mike Bassett, head of research at Mahle Powertrain, said: “Range anxiety is often quoted as the main barrier to electric vehicle adoption, but if the battery could be recharged in the same time it takes to refuel a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle, much of that worry goes away.”
The companies are working on a study looking at how their system could be used to power delivery mopeds with small batteries, giving a 25km range.
They say a conventional lithium-ion 500 watt hour battery would not last a full shift and take 30 minutes to recharge.
However, a smaller battery using their technology could be recharged between stops in what they claim could be as little as 90 seconds.
Mr Bassett cautioned that although Mahle was working to design the battery packs that can be fitted into a moped using Allotrope’s technology, the research – which was funded by Innovate UK – is only at the concept stage.
Allotrope’s batteries are not as “energy dense” as some other technologies, rival systems need cooling technology to be able to deliver the same performance, making them as larger overall..
However, Dr Pete Wilson, technical director at Allotrope, added: “Because our technology doesn’t require complex thermal management systems adding bulk and cost, the overall battery pack can achieve the same capacity as traditional battery alternatives, all whilst allowing super-fast charging.
“As we learn more about the consequences of ultrafast charging we’ll be able to move to smaller and lighter formats of the technology.”