Anhui Guoxin New Materials Co., Ltd. has introduced the world’s first commercially available potassium-ion battery, tailored specifically for electric two-wheelers. This breakthrough could significantly transform the e-bike sector.
Potassium-ion Batteries: Cheaper and Eco-friendly
The new potassium-ion battery pack features an impressive energy density of 151 Wh/kg, enabling a cruising range of 130-150 kilometers per charge. This is a substantial improvement over the commonly used lead-acid batteries, which typically offer around 50 kilometers per charge. Interestingly, the production costs for these potassium-ion batteries remain similar to those of lead-acid batteries.
Apart from providing a longer range economically, potassium-ion batteries offer environmental advantages. They are made mostly from non-toxic, reusable materials, resulting in much less pollution when they reach the end of their lifecycle compared to lead-acid batteries.
Successful Road Tests and Future Prospects
Anhui Guoxin has successfully conducted road tests of the new battery packs with popular e-bike brands Yadi and Lujia, receiving positive feedback from users. The company is hopeful about the future, expecting to start mass production of key electrode materials, battery cells, and complete energy storage systems for potassium-ion batteries by the end of 2024. This development could revolutionize the electric vehicle industry, especially for two-wheeled vehicles, heralding an era of longer-range, eco-friendly e-bikes.
