Toshiba Corporation has developed a new battery technology said to enable a compact vehicle to offer a 200-mile range and six-minute recharging, set to come to market as soon as 2019.

The new battery technology could revolutionise long-distance electric driving.

It builds on the company’s SCiB battery, first launched in 2008 and since used in buses, bikes and cars – including models from Mitsubishi and Honda. The second-generation version uses a new material which doubles the energy capacity of the anode, compared to the graphite-based anodes used in lithium-ion cells today.

The second-generation SCiB uses a titanium niobium oxide anode, which is claimed to be much more resistant to degradation through frequent rapid charging or use in very cold conditions. Toshiba said internal testing has shown it can retain over 90% of its original capacity after 5,000 charge/discharge cycles, while ultra-fast rapid charging down to minus 10°C, takes around ten minutes.

Dr. Osamu Hori, director of corporate research & development center at Toshiba Corporation, explained: “Rather than an incremental improvement, this is a game changing advance that will make a significant difference to the range and performance of electric vehicles.

“We will continue to improve the battery’s performance and aim to put the next-generation SCiB into practical application in fiscal year 2019.”