New Shell Triple 10 Challenge concept attempts to make 10-minute charging a reality
New Shell concept car promises ultra-rapid charging and lighter, more efficient battery tech...
The future of electric cars is difficult to predict, but energy giant Shell seems to think it has a pretty good idea with the recent reveal of its new Shell Triple 10 Challenge concept.
Indeed, the new Triple 10 concept showcases Shell’s vision of future small EVs, and it predicts some huge advancements in technology. It is said to meet three key objectives: a sub-10 minute charge time from a common 175kW rapid charger, efficiency of 10km per kWh (or 6.2 miles per kWh), and a life-cycle CO2 footprint of 10 tonnes.
This is achieved using new battery tech which involves the unit being immersed in a dielectric fluid developed by Shell, allowing for direct cooling. This is instead of running coolant through pipes over the top of each battery module, as in traditional EV batteries.
According to Shell, immersing the battery directly in the coolant means it is capable of running at an optimal temperature almost all of the time. This in turn should bring the potential for faster charging, lighter systems and improved life expectancy for the battery.
The battery itself has a usable capacity of 32kWh, and Shell claims it’s capable of sustaining a peak charging rate of 175kW for the full time it’s charging. This means a 10-80% charge should take just 9 minutes and 54 seconds.
Some modern electric cars – such as the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Cayenne Electric – can deliver charge at speeds in excess of 300kW, but not only are public chargers capable of these rates few and far between, the way batteries accept charge means they can't sustain a maximum charge for a full charging session. This is know as the charging curve: batteries will typically charge faster at around 10-30% than they will at 80-100%.
Improved cooling should also have a positive effect on the range of the Triple 10 concept’s battery, and will allow the battery to be connected to the same radiator as the motor and power electronics, rather than having its own unit. This should reduce weight and costs.
The Triple 10 concept is also estimated to produce 10 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime, based on a period of 200,000km, or around 124,000 miles. Shell claims this represents around a 50% reduction in emissions compared with traditional electric cars. This is thanks to its lightweight design, but also its make-up, featuring low-carbon and recyclable materials.
Shell’s intention with the Triple 10 concept is to showcase how new technologies can be used to further develop mainstream EVs into the future, as well as demonstrate its own range of fluids and lubricants for electric cars, hoping to stoke more demand for them from manufacturers.
This is just one of a range of advances being made in battery technology. Porsche has recently revealed a wireless charging feature in its Cayenne Coupé Electric, while solid-state batteries and battery swapping stations are also in development.
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