Aluminum-Air Batteries: 1,000-Mile EV Range… If They Don’t Explode

Emerging Tech Debates

This podcast episode discusses aluminum-air batteries and their potential role in powering electric vehicles, particularly their capability for extended driving ranges of around 1,000 miles due to their high energy density. The sources explain the working principle of these batteries, which use aluminum as an anode and oxygen from the air as a cathode, highlighting their advantages over lithium-ion batteries, such as potentially lower cost, lighter weight, and reduced fire risk. However, significant challenges are also addressed, including the non-rechargeable nature requiring mechanical replacement of the aluminum, anode corrosion, and the need for a completely new infrastructure for swapping and recycling. The sources also examine safety considerations, specifically the risk of hydrogen gas generation, and outline ongoing research and development efforts aimed at overcoming these limitations to enable wider adoption.