A new cooling fluid being developed by the oil company, Shell, could soon enable electric cars to be charged up to 80 per cent capacity in under 10 minutes.
At the moment, most new EVs capable of being fast-charged take up to 30 minutes at best to achieve the same charge rate.
The EV-Plus Thermal Fluid is being developed by Shell in conjunction with a British company, Horiba Mira, and uses a principle called immersive cooling that cools the electric power train faster and therefore reduces its thermal limit - something that currently inhibits charging times.
Shell says work on the project is well advanced and can work "in the extreme cold of an Arctic winter to the scorching heat of a Saharan summer".
Dr. David Bridge, chief engineer at Horiba Mira, told Auto Express magazine that the development was "a critical enabler for the future of electric vehicles".
"The ability to manage heat effectively across the entire powertrain is fundamental to unlocking the full potential of BEV technology, enabling faster charging, improved safety, and longer component life," he said. "This is a significant step forward in the journey towards a fully electrified and sustainable transport future."
Cara Tredget, vice president for Shell Mobility and Lubricants Technology, told Auto Express that the new fluid "is not just a concept".
"Our hope is for this breakthrough to help shape the next generation of EVs. However, we are confident in the potential of our thermal fluid for implementation in the not-too-distant future."
