Nyobolt's prototype battery charges from 0-80 per cent in less than five minutes

Nyobolt’s EV prototype has done some real world testing at Millbrook and the results are in. The 35kWh battery can charge from 10-80 per cent in four minutes and 37 seconds. And that's not all. The battery health is so good, it'll do 600,000 miles of range in its lifetime. Woah.

Granted, that sub-five-minute charge time was achieved with a 350kW charge point – of which... yeah OK, there aren't that many in the UK. Yet. But importantly, Nyobolt tells us the first four minutes of the charge time maintain a constant 500 amp current. That delivers 120 miles of range in the time it takes to grab a coffee. Happy days.

The battery uses a mix of carbon and metal oxide anode materials, low impedance cell design and electronics and software to maximise power density and minimise degradation. That means after 4,000 fast charge cycles, the power pack retains 80 per cent of its health.

Nyobolt’s co-founder Dr Sai Shivareddy said: “Typically, the charge profile will only hold these peak charge levels for a short amount of the charge time. Nyobolt’s low impedance cells ensure we can offer sustainability, stretching out the battery’s usable life for up to 600,000 miles in the case of our technology demonstrator.”

The Elise-based prototype only weighs 1,250kg and the 35kWh battery has an official range of 155 miles. Though it sounds marvellous, the firm admits it'll only be able to produce 1,000 units in 2025 for low-volume production. You've got to start somewhere though, right?