Wanted: Battery breakthroughs: Toyota, Nissan seek changes in chemistry to boost energy of next-gen power packs

摘要

TOKYO - Rivals Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co., Japan's leading electrified vehicle makers, are developing battery technologies they hope will give them an edge with longer range. Their research, announced separately this month, tweak the chemistry of next-generation power packs for denser energy storage to deliver longer drives for electric cars and hybrids. Toyota is researching the use of magnesium, in place of lithium, as the base chemical for batteries that could appear in the next 20 years. Nissan is looking at additives that will improve the performance and energy capacity of today's lithium batteries.