Tesla works on all-electric range extender

Tesla is testing a possible full electric range extender.

Its battery researchers recently published results of a test that cycles lithium metal on graphite to form hybrid lithium-ion/lithium metal cells, which could lead to an all-electric range extender, Teslarati reports.

Range extenders are usually small petrol-powered engines used as a generator to recharge the vehicle’s battery pack when low on range.

But Tesla’s battery research team, led by Jeff Dahn of Dalhousie University, is studying the possibility of range extender which doesn’t need the petrol engine.

Tesla outlined its findings in a research paper Cycling Lithium Metal on Graphite to Form Hybrid Lithium-Ion/Lithium Metal Cells.

This shows a possible 20% increase in range using the electric extender.

Tesla’s new findings reveal increased energy density is made possible with the hybrid concept.

Combining lithium-ion cells with lithium metal improves energy density as the graphite anode used in traditional lithium-ion cells is incapable of handling the increased energy. The use of a dual-salt electrolyte also increases density and decreases battery cell degradation.

The electric extender study is in its early stages so could take some time to be introduced.