Volkswagen might be doing electric car owners a solid in the near future that could see the range of their cars tripled.
Volkswagen of America, according to a report by Bloomberg citing unnamed sources “familiar with the matter,” bought a 5 percent stake in QuantumScape, a startup company focused on developing next-generation battery technology. The company is working to develop solid state batteries that might serve as an alternative to the liquid electrolytes used in many electric cars today.
According to the report, Volkswagen is considering using the fireproof technology for automotive applications in Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche products.
VW CEO Martin Winterkorn said during a speech at Stanford last November that he sees “great potential in this new technology, possibly boosting the range to as much as 700 kilometers (430 miles).” That is more than three times the range that Volkswagen’s e-Golf.
The solid state batteries would have the potential to store more energy than lithium ion packs currently being used in most electric cars and they could prove to be safer as well. Tesla fell under scrutiny in 2013 when one of its Model S sedans caught fire after hitting a large metal object at high speed.
[Source: Bloomberg]
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