Battery Technology Firm Receives Funding Boost to Advance Cold Weather Electric Vehicle Performance
A fast-growing battery technology startup has secured an investment from Porsche Ventures to help ramp up research aimed at improving electric vehicle range and efficiency in colder climates. South 8, based in Silicon Valley, has developed proprietary battery materials and architectures shown to retain significantly more charge at freezing temperatures compared to conventional lithium-ion packs.
The multi-million dollar funding round, led by the investment arm of luxury automaker Porsche, will allow South 8 to further validate its patented technology through expanded prototype testing and customer evaluation programs. Most electric vehicles currently experience upwards of a 30% drop in driving range when operated in temperatures near or below zero degrees Celsius due to limitations in battery chemistry.
South 8’s novel approach centers around utilizing nano-scale coatings on the traditional graphite anode and lithiated nickel-manganese cathode materials. This is designed to prevent the formation of resistive layers during charge and discharge cycles in colder environments that can damage performance over time in typical lithium-ion battery designs. The startup has demonstrated its battery modules retaining over 90% of rated capacity even after prolonged exposure to sub-freezing conditions.
Continued technology development is essential to alleviating range anxiety that deters some consumers from adopting electric vehicles, especially in northern U.S. states and Canada where bitter winters are common. The investment from Porsche Ventures underscores the strategic importance of overcoming cold weather limitations to help unlock the untapped electric vehicle market potential in these regions. It also provides a competitive edge for automakers striving to maximize all-electric vehicle utility year-round.
South 8 now plans to use the new funding to ramp up prototype battery pack production for additional commercial testing and integration with vehicle platforms. Further development of its materials and process-scaling is also slated to enhance manufacturing feasibility. This could ultimately help accelerate the availability of high-performing, winter-ready electric vehicles compatible with even the coldest of climates.
