All articles tagged with #lithium batteries
Southwest Airlines will cap lithium-powered portable chargers at one per passenger, ban charging on board, and forbid stowage in overhead bins starting April 20; travelers must keep the charger on their person or store it in a carry-on under the seat—policy aimed at preventing battery fires as FAA data show rising lithium-battery incidents and recalls from makers like Anker, with international rules already tighter.
Southwest Airlines will limit passengers to one lithium-battery-powered portable charger per person starting April 20, with a maximum capacity of 100Wh; chargers must be carried on or stored under the seat, with no storage in overhead bins and no charging from in-seat outlets, in response to a rise in lithium-battery fires on flights.
Demand for Chinese lithium batteries is expected to decline sharply in early 2026 due to a drop in domestic electric vehicle sales and sluggish exports, leading battery manufacturers to consider reducing production, with the overall market facing significant challenges despite China's leadership in battery technology.
Chinese battery company shares fell sharply after Beijing announced new export controls on lithium battery components and technology, aiming to tighten its grip on critical energy storage and EV supply chains, with potential impacts on global markets and companies reliant on Chinese inputs.
Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a new type of fuel cell that can generate essentially endless electricity from dirt by harnessing the power of microbes living in the soil. This dirt-fueled power source could potentially replace lithium batteries, which pose environmental and human rights concerns. The microbial fuel cells have been shown to power sensors in farming and IoT devices, and the technology could provide a sustainable alternative to traditional batteries, as long as there is organic carbon in the soil for the microbes to break down.
A fire broke out at a battery recycling plant in southern France, housing 900 tonnes of lithium batteries, sending thick black smoke into the sky. While the fire is under control, it is expected to last for several hours. Lithium batteries, vital in electrical devices, contain combustible materials and can emit toxic fumes when burning. Authorities have stated that there is no immediate danger to nearby residents, but the potential release of cadmium through fumes is a concern.
A warehouse storing 900 tons of lithium batteries caught fire in France, prompting authorities to advise residents to stay indoors due to thick smoke. No injuries or deaths were reported, but the incident has raised concerns about the safety of lithium batteries. Meanwhile, plans to build a large battery storage site in the UK have faced criticism from residents and lawmakers, with objections raised over potential environmental impact and disruption to the community. Similar concerns have been highlighted following previous incidents involving lithium battery fires, including a recent blaze at the Royal Courts of Justice and a cargo ship fire in Alaska.
A major fire broke out at a battery recycling plant in southern France, with 900 tonnes of lithium batteries on fire, sending a thick black smoke cloud into the sky. Lithium batteries, vital in electrical devices, contain combustible materials and can emit toxic fumes when burning. Firefighters are battling to control the fire, but authorities have stated that there is no immediate danger to nearby residents. The fire is expected to last for several hours, and the site's security note warns of potential emission of cadmium through fumes, although it is not expected to pose an immediate health risk to residents.
A fire that destroyed a home in E-Town was caused by lithium batteries in a golf cart parked in the garage, according to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. The batteries can go into "thermal runaway" and release toxic gases that rapidly ignite a burn. The family was unharmed, but the house was destroyed. The department warns that lithium battery fires should be handled by professionals and advises against buying aftermarket batteries.
Elon Musk has called lithium batteries "the new oil" and Tesla is investing $375 million in a lithium refinery in Texas. While Tesla is an obvious investment choice, there are smaller companies in the lithium battery space that could also benefit from the trend. Two such companies are Microvast Holdings and Li-Cycle Holdings, both priced below $10. Microvast is a leader in lithium-ion battery tech and has a global reach, while Li-Cycle specializes in advanced lithium-ion battery resource recovery. Analysts see potential in both companies, with H.C. Wainwright giving Microvast a Buy rating and Piper Sandler giving Li-Cycle an Overweight rating.
The Shanghai auto show, the largest in China since before the pandemic, showcased the dominance of electric vehicles in the world’s largest car market. Volkswagen forecasted that half the cars sold in China will be electric within two years, up from 6 percent in 2020. Chinese automakers are leading the field with unusual electric car designs, while foreign companies and their Chinese joint ventures have played it safe. Most of the cars displayed at the auto show use lithium batteries, but long term, many in the industry believe sodium can become a viable alternative or supplement to lithium as a key ingredient in EV batteries.
China's exports unexpectedly surged in March, driven by strong shipments of solar products, new-energy vehicles, and lithium batteries, snapping five straight months of declines. Meanwhile, imports fell less than expected, with economists pointing to an acceleration in the purchase of agricultural products, especially soybeans, as proving some support. However, analysts doubt the strength can be sustained as demand in major economies elsewhere flags.
China is leading the way in the development of sodium batteries, which are cheaper and more abundant than lithium batteries. Sodium batteries can be recharged daily for years and keep almost all of their charge in freezing temperatures. Chinese companies have figured out how to make sodium battery cells similar to lithium ones, and the world's largest electric car battery manufacturer, CATL, has discovered a way to use sodium and lithium cells in a single battery pack. Sodium batteries are expected to be used for electric grids and could replace lithium for certain applications.