ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. – Jerry Means and Ryder Robison worked together for a while.
“We have — since his first day,” Means said of Robison, who started in 2021 with the Adams County Fire Rescue.
Means, chief of investigations at ACFR, and Robison, fire inspector and investigator at ACFR, have seen a lot in their time as fire investigators.
“We spent some time together in the dark on the fireground, crawling around,” Means said.
But nothing was like last Sunday night.
“I thought he just burned his face,” Means said.
“It was terrifying,” Robison said. “Because that’s just how it happened.”
Means and Robison responded to a house fire call.
One of the residents called to report that a skateboard with lithium-ion batteries had exploded in the house. One of the roommates had minor burns, but everything turned out well.
Then, when Means and Robison arrived to investigate, there was another explosion.
“It looked like all those batteries were already burned out,” Robison said. “We also took the extra step of using a thermal imaging camera to make sure the temperature was OK. And when I put them outside, I saw a red glow out of the corner of my eye.”
“He was inclined to put it down and say something like, ‘Uh oh!’ And then it just — boom — it exploded,” Means said. “And the next thing I remember, we’re about 12 feet away.”
These events are becoming more frequent.
“We have to be aware of how common these lithium-ion batteries are,” Means said.
You’ve probably seen videos of lithium-ion battery explosions. They are like inactive fireworks – sometimes sparks, fire and debris everywhere.
“It just makes you go, oh my gosh,” Means said.
ADFR and other departments want to point out to us that these batteries are in everything – in your phones, your kids’ toys, your electric bikes and even your work equipment.
“Don’t just throw them in the trash,” Robison said. “You can take them to the recycling kiosk. Sometimes they’re in hardware stores.’
Experts say don’t store things like hoverboards and other electronics under children’s beds. And know the signs that the battery is not working properly.
If a toy, computer or device has a strange smell, then this is a red flag. If there is a change in shape, if the device starts to bulge, changes color or looks unusual, do not tear it apart. Get rid of it, experts say.
“Taking it apart, taking it apart, changing it in any way can spell disaster,” Means said.
Means and Robison are lucky to have escaped unscathed.
Even experts want you to know that tampering with these batteries when they’re not working properly is risky business.
“It’s scary,” Means said. “So unexpected; so fast.”
“I think it was very difficult,” Robison said. “It could be a lot worse.”
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Contents
The Morning Headlines, sign up for a mix of what you need to know to start the day in Colorado, picked for you.
What is the holy grail of batteries?
What exactly is an eternal battery? The Forever Battery phenomenon In conventional batteries, you take a liquid electrolyte solution and compress it into a solid substance. This creates a hyper-compact solid state battery. And because it has zero wasted space and theoretically infinite energy density, it lasts much longer and recharges much faster.
Who is the leader in the world of battery technology? Leading battery supplier CATL has increased its market share from 32% in 2021 to 34% in 2022. One-third of the world’s electric vehicle batteries come from the Chinese company. CATL provides lithium-ion batteries for Tesla, Peugeot, Hyundai, Honda, BMW, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.
What is the most promising new battery technology? Sodium ion batteries show great promise. They are energy dense, non-combustible and work well at lower temperatures, and sodium is cheap and plentiful. In addition, sodium-based batteries will be more environmentally friendly and even cheaper than lithium-ion batteries that are becoming available now.
Is there anything better than lithium-ion batteries?
magnesium. Magnesium can theoretically carry a significant charge of 2, more than lithium or sodium. As a result, batteries made from this material would have higher energy density, greater stability and lower costs than lithium-ion batteries used today, according to the researchers.
Is there a better battery than lithium? Fluoride batteries can last eight times longer than lithium batteries, but that’s easier said than done. This is because fluoride is an anion, or negatively charged ion, which is the charm of its high energy density, but also the reason it is reactive and difficult to stabilize.
What will replace lithium-ion batteries?
Alternatives to lithium in batteries
- Aluminum. Aluminum is an easily accessible resource and one of the most recyclable materials. …
- Salt. The salt is very similar in chemical composition to lithium. …
- Iron. Iron is said to have a higher “redox potential” (or tendency to lose efficiency) than lithium. …
- Silicon. …
- magnesium. …
- hemp.
What is the next generation of battery technology? Next-generation, higher-density lithium-ion batteries feature new anode materials. These batteries can show higher energy capacity and better cycle endurance than conventional graphite batteries.
What is the holy grail of batteries?
The new type of battery I’m working on – the lithium metal battery – is the ‘holy grail’ of battery technology, as it could provide the highest possible energy density, potentially twice that of lithium-ion batteries. This means that you could get double the mileage of an electric vehicle on a single charge.
Can lithium-ion batteries be used in cars?
Can lithium-ion batteries be used to start a car? If you want to use a lithium battery as a starter battery in your car, truck, RV or boat, then the answer is a resounding no. If you are looking for a battery for your motorcycle, jet ski or quad, then yes, the X2Power LiFePO4 battery is a suitable choice for a starter battery.
Why aren’t lithium-ion batteries used in cars? Also, the alternator and regulator circuit in cars are designed to charge lead acid batteries, not lithium batteries. Normally your alternator voltage will be around 14.7V, it can go as high as 15V. So there is a risk of the BMS shutting down the batteries due to overvoltage.
Can I replace my lead-acid car battery with a lithium-ion one? While lead-acid batteries are the well-understood workhorses, lithium-ion batteries are high-performance energy storage solutions that can be easily replaced without all the drawbacks, making them the ideal choice for replacing and upgrading used lead-acid batteries.
Can a lithium battery be used as a car battery?
Absolutely, in most all circumstances our special lithium chemistry works as a direct replacement for lead/acid batteries without any changes to the vehicle’s system settings.
Will my car alternator charge a lithium ion battery? We often get asked if our lithium batteries can be charged with an alternator. In short, yes they can be, but it’s important to get a quality alternator for best results. In this video, we’ll walk you through all the details you need to know.
Can I use a lithium battery as a cranking battery?
If you want to use a lithium battery as a starter battery in your car, truck, RV or boat, then the answer is a resounding no.
Can you use a lithium battery as a starter battery in a boat? Yes, lithium batteries are safe for use in ships and boats. Lithium batteries are sealed, which means that moisture and even a little splash of water will not harm them. In addition, most lithium batteries have an internal battery management system (BMS).
Can I replace my car battery with a lithium battery?
Absolutely, in most all circumstances our special lithium chemistry works as a direct replacement for lead/acid batteries without any changes to the vehicle’s system settings.
Will my car alternator charge a lithium ion battery? We often get asked if our lithium batteries can be charged with an alternator. In short, yes they can be, but it’s important to get a quality alternator for best results. In this video, we’ll walk you through all the details you need to know.
Need a different alternator for your lithium battery? RELiON batteries can be charged with most alternators. Depending on the quality of the alternator, it should work with LiFePO4 batteries. Low quality alternators with poor voltage regulation can cause the battery management system (BMS) to disconnect LiFePO4 batteries.
How much does it cost to replace battery in electric car?
Experts say battery replacements for electric vehicles typically cost between $2,000 and $10,000, but some are more expensive. Electric vehicles are gaining popularity around the world, with sales expected to double to a new record of 6.6 million in 2021, the International Energy Agency said in May.
How much does a replacement battery for an electric car cost? The good news here is that quality electric batteries can last a long time, with most electric car batteries going 200,000-300,000 miles before needing to be replaced. The bad news is that electric batteries can cost between $4,000 and $20,000 when you need to replace them.
How long do batteries last in an electric car? How long do batteries in electric cars last? According to current industry expectations, EV batteries should last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, or about 15 to 20 years.
How much does it cost to replace a Tesla battery? Tesla battery replacement costs vary depending on the labor and parts required. Typically, the most basic battery replacement at Tesla costs between $13,000 and $14,000. For a Model S premium sedan, a Tesla battery replacement costs around $13,000 to $20,000.
Is it worth it to replace the battery in electric car?
This data is backed up by a 2020 study by Consumer Reports, which estimates that an EV’s battery life should exceed 200,000 miles without ever needing to be replaced — meaning the battery will more than likely outlast the expected life of the car.
How many years will electric car batteries last? “Today, most EV batteries have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years in the car — and a second life after that. It’s also worth noting that EV battery technology is still evolving, so as the technology evolves, we expect battery life to increase – and they’ll also become cheaper, smaller, and even lighter.
How much does it cost to replace a battery in an electric car?
Replacing an electric car battery will cost between $4,000 and $20,000, but there are some cheaper options. Whitney Vandiver writes for NerdWallet about ways car owners can save money on ownership and maintenance.
How much does a full electric car battery cost? Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, a battery can cost you between $4,000 and $20,000. If you’ve owned your electric vehicle long enough to need to replace the battery, this maintenance will be a large part of the total cost of car ownership.
How long does a fully charged electric car battery last? A typical 40kWh battery pack from a conventional electric car could be enough to power 150 miles or more, while Tesla’s largest 100kWh battery is good for 375 miles under the WLTP standard – which aims to give a realistic estimate of actual cars’ worldwide range or fuel consumption .
Do electric car batteries need to be replaced?
Battery technology for an electric car This reduces the range and time required to charge between individual journeys. Most manufacturers have a five to eight year warranty on their battery. However, current predictions say that an electric car battery will last 10 to 20 years before needing to be replaced.
Do batteries need to be replaced in electric cars? EV batteries will slowly lose capacity over time, with current EVs losing an average of around 2% range loss per year. After many years, the range can be noticeably reduced. Electric vehicle batteries can be serviced and individual cells in the battery can be replaced if they fail.
How often should the batteries in electric cars be replaced? In general, electric vehicle batteries last 10-20 years, but some factors can shorten their lifespan. For example, batteries can degrade faster in warmer climates because the heat is no match for electric vehicles.
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