Tag: Power density

Over the past decade, the energy density of lithium-ion batteries has steadily increased, becoming a driving force behind smaller consumer electronics and longer-range electric vehicles. However, depending on the application—from power storage to nutrition—the role of energy density is far more complex than simply being 'good' or 'bad.'

According to the Department of Energy, the energy density of lithium-ion batteries has steadily increased over the last few decades, powering innovations from smartphones to electric vehicles. While this sounds like an undeniable benefit, is a higher energy density better in all applications? Not always, as this metric presents a complex set of advantages and disadvantages.

According to research by QuantumScape, improved energy density could lead to electric vehicles with significantly longer ranges and lighter consumer electronics. The fundamental question, "what does energy density do?" is central to innovations in batteries and fuels, dictating everything from a smartphone's battery life to an EV's travel distance.