At CETIM we celebrate the World Electric Vehicle Day remembering that thanks to research and investment in science and technology it is possible to face the technological challenges of electromobility, such as the scarcity of raw materials or the high cost of products.

Figures from the Spanish car market show that more and more electric vehicles are on the road in Spain. The Unión Española de Entidades Aseguradoras y Reaseguradoras, UNESPA, recorded a 37% increase in the use of hybrid cars in 2021 compared to the previous year. However, the lack of infrastructure associated with electromobility, the scarcity of raw materials to manufacture the elements of the car, the high cost and the battery replacement cycle are delaying the full implementation of electric cars in Spain.

To meet these technological challenges, at CETIM Technological Centre we are researching, through our Energy Storage Materials line, the development of materials of synthetic origin, bio or recovered from secondary sources for battery components (anodes, cathodes, electrolytes and separators) for the creation of high energy density electrochemical cells.

An example of this is our LION-HD MISSIONS project, whose main objective is to significantly improve the energy density, cost and sustainability of lithium-ion batteries. To this end, novel research is being carried out on advanced active and inactive materials and their synergistic combinations for the different components of the electrochemical cell.

One of the key materials being used in the project is silicon as an active anode component in Li-ion batteries, as it has characteristics such as higher energy density, which will make it possible to create lighter batteries with greater autonomy and faster charging.

The initiative is led by Ferroglobe Innovation, with the scientific coordination of CETIM and the collaboration of the following partners: Química del Nalón, NANOKER, RIMSA, ABCR Labs, GRAPHENEA, CUANTUM Medical Cosmetics and HI IBERIA.

Along the same lines, CETIM is part of the group led by SEAT, Future: Fast Forward, which promotes our RELOAD project. The initiative seeks to contribute efficiently and safely to the supply of high-value metals in the industrial chain of electric vehicles, reducing dependence on imports and promoting a sustainable industrial model. To this end, different recycling, eco-design and industry 4.0 technologies will be developed to recover metals of high interest present in electronic components, lithium-ion batteries and electric motors at the end of their useful life.

RELOAD is led by ENSO, CETIM’s technology company, and counts with our collaboration, together with SEAT, Técnicas Reunidas, ASAI Industrial, Balidea, University of Zaragoza and CSIC-CENIM.

We are also participating in the international HORIZON EUROPE GIGAGREEN project, in which new manufacturing processes for cell and electrode components are being developed with minimal environmental impact and energy consumption. This will involve designing cells that facilitate reuse and disassembly and increase the cost-effectiveness and safety of processes and products, as well as high-performance technologies that can be easily scaled up and automated. The project is supported by an international consortium of 16 entities representing the entire battery manufacturing value chain.

Thanks to the collaboration of all actors involved, the evolution and transformation of the transport sector towards sustainability, decarbonisation and drastic emission reductions is getting closer and closer. Happy World Electric Vehicle Day!