ELECTRIC SPORTS CARS ESSAY
14 AUGUST 2019 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 41
Possibly. Probably, even. But not
definitely. On paper we all stand to
benefit from solid-state batteries in
cars because they charge quicker
and go farther. But enthusiasts stand
to gain the most because they are
lighter and need a fraction of the
cooling required by conventional
lithium ion batteries.
That in turns means cars won’t
need such robust structures or
suspension to support them and will
be able to use narrower tyres, smaller
brakes and so on. As with every time
you deduct weight from a car, this is
the circle of virtue in which you exist.
But you’re still dealing with a
battery so it’ll not sound any better.
And while the theory of solid-
state batteries is sound, finding
an electrolyte that actually works
in practice and which can then be
produced reliably and affordably
by the million remains very much
work in progress.
James Dyson appears to have bet
the farm on the technology, while
Toyota reckons it will unveil a car with
a solid-state battery next year – but
whether it will actually put one on
sale is another matter altogether.
But you only have to look at
the Prius to know that when Toyota
starts making noises about new
technology, it’s not doing it just to
grab the headlines.
SOLID-STATE BATTERIES: THE ANSWER
TO THE ENTHUSIAST’S PRAYERS?
WEIGHT
The GT4 proves the
battle for the future
sports car isn’t just about
the powertrain. It’ll be just as
hard to keep weight down
to the level of internal
combustion-engined
cars.
ENGINE
The GT4 has a
quad-cam, 24-valve,
4.0-litre flat six engine that
revs to 8000rpm. How do
you even begin to replace
that sensation with an
electric motor and a
battery?
HANDLING
The GT4 may well be
the sweetest-handling
Porsche on sale, but
Weissach’s engineers insist
the electrically powered
Taycan will be even
easier to drive
at the limit.
`
Electric cars promise to bring
new levels of controllability
a
Frankel laments the
demise of the tactile,
involving sports car