Electricnick, The EV Revolution

When we think of IBM we think of super computers and huge data centers, laptops and desktops but the company has also turned to green technology before it was fashionable.

The gist is that we rarely think of big corporations as being green and doing anything to help the environment.  These last few years have proven us wrong with such companies as Google working alternative energy as well as taming its electricity consumption in its data center a decade ago.  GE has has also flexed its muscle with its invaluable expertise.  IBM has also been working on storage for some time.

Big Blue Is Green.  IBM, aka Big Blue, has been recycling and repurposing most of its technology to offer environmental services, from a traffic congestion pricing system in Stockholm to smart water and electricity grid for Malta, according to Grist.  What is striking about it is that the company has been active in the green sector for some time, well before the current trend.

What About EVs? Yes, IBM is a technology company and more recently became a consulting company.  So what does this have to do with our electric vehicles, EVs?  As with this new auto/technology revolution, technology companies have been making inroad into what was once the auto maker’s market, surpassing the former.  IBM has been working on a new battery technology that could extend the range of EVs to more than 400 miles per charge.  What is even better is that the batteries could be used to store solar power plants and wind farms electricity.

While we might not know much about IBM’s Lithium-Air technology, a recent press release sheds some light.  They could squeeze 10 times the energy density of current lithium ion batteries, weigh less and could potentially speed up the revolution once and for all.

The breakneck pace of innovation with lithium batteries have pushed the envelop much further than anyone dreamed.  Now, if we can only make them more affordable, the revolution would be complete.