Ian Callum’s company, in partnership with British battery startup Nyobolt, has transformed the original Lotus Elise S1 into an impressive electric vehicle.
The collaboration showcases Nyobolt’s promising tungsten anode batteries, which offer rapid charging capabilities without compromising overall capacity. The lightweight 35-kilowatt-hour battery in the car can be fully recharged in just six minutes, providing an impressive range of 155 miles.
While the exact weight of the car remains undisclosed, Nyobolt’s claimed efficiency of over 4.4 miles per kilowatt-hour indicates a vehicle design that minimizes mass and reduces aerodynamic drag. The car boasts features such as camera mirrors and a deep diffuser, optimizing its ability to slice through the air with minimal resistance.
Specific technical specifications regarding the car’s motor output and drivetrain configuration have not been released. However, Nyobolt asserts that its battery cells can endure 2,000 charge cycles, suggesting a potential battery life of over 300,000 miles.
The development of tungsten anodes, as pioneered by Nyobolt, is a recent advancement discussed in academic circles. Nyobolt’s technology enables charge rates of up to 10C, though it remains unclear whether this refers to the cell or pack level.
If achieved at the cell level, it signifies a significant breakthrough in lithium-ion technology. A 10C charge rate would imply that a cell could be charged at ten times its stated capacity in amp hours, surpassing the capabilities of existing CCS-type chargers.
Nyobolt predicts that one-megawatt chargers will be required to fully exploit the potential of their technology, necessitating robust charging cables or active cooling mechanisms.
While the revitalized Elise currently serves as a technology demonstrator, Nyobolt plans to commence production of their advanced battery cells in 2024. At present, there are no concrete plans to mass-produce the carbon-bodied electric vehicle, but the interest from potential buyers is undeniable.
