WASHINGTON (TIP): Researchers have developed new molten air rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles which have a significantly higher storage capacity than lithium batteries. While electric vehicles offer many advantages, at least one barrier stands in the way: “range anxiety.” Researchers at George Washington University, led by Stuart Licht, have developed what they’re calling “molten air battery.”

These new rechargeable batteries, which use molten electrolytes, oxygen from air, and special “multiple electron” storage electrodes, have the highest intrinsic electric energy storage capacities of any other batteries to date. Their energy density, durability and cost effectiveness give them the potential to replace conventional electric car batteries. Molten air batteries made with iron, carbon or vanadium boride have 0 to 50 times the storage capacity of a lithium-ion battery.