This just came out on Seeking Alpha. http://seekingalpha.com/article/1359601-tesla-patent-applications-reveal-next-generation-ev-technology?source=email_rt_article_readmore Looks like we might be making actual progress on GenIII that the street can count on. If the patent is any indication, we might actually have a GenIII prototype, instead of all talk and speculation. TSLA might pop on the news tomorrow morning, giving those of you who didn't sell another opportunity to lock in some profits.
"typical 500-600 mile tank of a gasoline car" Say what? My 2004 Honda only goes a little over 300.........
When we had the thread (it's somewhere), where everyone was "voting" in a poll on what Elon meant when he said he was "going to put his money where his mouth was in a v major way", I posted the link to the UK company developing the 1,000 mile metal-air battery, and speculated perhaps TSLA was in joint development with them, or maybe buying them, who knows. A combination of a lithium-ion and air battery might be the breakthrough needed, that certainly could drive the Gen 3 release up much sooner (given they need a smaller lithium-ion pack, so lower cost).
Li-air secondary (rechargeable) batteries are in the R&D phase. Assuming the problems are solved, it will take 5-10 years before commercially produced cells are available. Tesla will have their gen 3 BlueStar in production first. JB Straubel has said what the gen3 battery improvement will be, and it was roughly the same as the Model S battery improvement vs. the Roadster. GSP
Whatever the time horizon, the patents described could be very valuable. Three assumptions are necessary: Range remains a key competitive factor Non-metal-air batteries don't measure up Metal-air batteries are viable but hard to charge If all these three are true, then a hybrid system is the (in hindsight) obvious and brilliant solution. Add the assumption that EV becomes the primary mode of transportation, and you suddenly have a patent for the best concept for motor transport for the 8 billion people on the planet. In that scenario, the patent alone is worth a many times today's market cap.
Phinergy model implies the metal-air battery would be replaced every 1000 or so miles. If the metal-air battery in the hybrid system requires frequent replacement, it could be a non-negotiable item to perspective GEN III owners.
What if the metal-air battery is treated as a "range extender", like the engine in a Chevy Volt, except the standard lithium-ion EV range is 150-200 miles, the lithium air battery is only used on long road trips, or when you happen to not be near a SuperCharger, it's basic purpose is to elliminate range anxiety, it's not for "everyday" use, since its expensive to replace. I think that's the current thinking.
500-600 miles would be the highway ferry range of a midsize sedan. For example, a Honda Accord with a 17.1 gallon fuel tank, getting 36 MPG avg on the highway, has a theoretical maximum range of 615.6 miles. My Civic gets about 30 MPG combined, based on my spreadsheet of fuel purchase data (rated 29 MPG combined EPA). Fuel tank holds 13.2 gallons, but I generally fuel up when the warning light comes on after 11 gallons are consumed. Typically I see 320-330 miles of travel per 10.5-11 gallon fillup, when driving in a mix of town and highway.
may be sooner. Here is a list of patents issued. 6 patents related to battery tech issued in the past two months. BATTERY MODULE WITH INTEGRATED THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - Patent application TESLA MOTORS, INC. - Patent applications
Model S or Gen III Battery Technology? Are these patents related to the Model S or the Gen III battery technology?
I have not read everyone in depth yet. I have patents but mine are much different than these and are very technically in depth. If anyone else has a jump on it please comment. My guess just from filing date is that it is gen3 but that is just a guess
This is a six month old article. Apparently no news since then, so my guess is prolly not ready for GenIII yet.
looks like some newer patents in Nov/Dec- Gen III stuff? Some X stuff http://www.faqs.org/patents/assignee/tesla-motors-inc/