A UK start-up showcases a rapid-charging EV battery

An electric vehicle battery by UK start-up Nyobolt charged from 10% to 80% in under five minutes during a live demonstration.

Zoe Kleinman reports for the BBC.


In short:

  • Nyobolt's battery, tested in a concept sports car, aims to alleviate "range anxiety" by significantly reducing charging time compared to current technologies.
  • The demonstration faced challenges, including a UK heatwave and technical issues, but still marked a significant advancement in EV battery technology.
  • Nyobolt plans to partner with existing car brands and introduce its batteries on a small scale within a year.

Key quote:

“Developing technology that enables people to charge more quickly, which chimes with the time it currently takes to re-fuel a car – is really important.”

— Paul Shearing, professor of sustainable energy engineering at Oxford University

Why this matters:

Fast-charging technology is essential for broader adoption of electric vehicles by reducing charging times so that they're similar to the time it takes to refuel gas cars. However, improvements in charging infrastructure are needed to support these advancements and make electric vehicles more practical for everyday use.

A helicopter flying above a fire burning at the edge of the ocean

Wildfires force nearly 260,000 people to evacuate in France and Spain

Massive wildfires sweeping southwestern France and central Spain forced nearly 260,000 people to flee over the weekend, as authorities deployed troops and additional firefighting aircraft to battle blazes.

A bridge extending over a body of water with buildings and docks in the background at sunset

Floodwater starts arriving in Corpus Christi lakes

Two critical South Texas lakes that supply water to drought-stricken Corpus Christi will rise significantly in the coming days as runoff from recent floods flows downstream from the Hill Country.

A view of a dirt path extending into a dry desert landscape with hills in the background

California solar project threatens Mojave wildlife corridor, scientists say

The state of California has approved a solar project in the Mojave Desert on land that serves as a migration corridor for desert bighorn sheep and habitat for the desert tortoise.

A view of the Earth with one side on fire

As climate lawsuits advance, the oil industry enters 'panic mode'

With a wrongful death suit among scores of cases creeping toward trial, oil executives might have to defend themselves to a jury soon.
A woman and a child holding hands and dancing in a field

The government canceled this nature study. Scientists finished it anyway

When the National Nature Assessment was shut down, the scientists who worked on it kept going. In this Q&A, one author shares what the research reveals about nature’s powerful, underused role in supporting health.
NEW YORK CITY - SEPTEMBER 3 2015: Republican candidate for president Donald Trump announced he had signed a pledge not to run as an independent candidate should he fail to win the party's nomination in 2016.
Credit: andykatz/BigStock Photo ID: 100778843

Trump calls climate change a hoax. Americans aren’t buying it

New polling finds broad agreement that the climate crisis is worsening heat, floods, and wildfires.
Construction workers move bricks on a tropical beach shoreline job site.

OSHA proposed heat protections for workers. Two years later, they’re still not final

In Florida, where the state has banned adoption of local laws intended to protect outdoor workers, the lack of federal rules leaves individuals particularly vulnerable.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.