ONE’s experimental battery tech gives Tesla Model S 1,210 km of range on a single charge



An American company by the name of ONE – or Our Next Energy – has just unveiled a new prototype battery for electric vehicles that promises to “[double] the available energy on board in the same package space”.

For its proof-of-concept, ONE retrofitted an experimental 203.7 kWh battery pack into a Tesla Model S and sent it on a road trip test back in December last year. The modified Model S achieved a mileage of 1,210 km on a single charge in the real-world test, with an average speed of around 88.5 km/h.

The car was also validated by a third party using a dynamometer (dyno) running at the same speed of 88.5 km/h, and managed to achieve an even more impressive 1,419 km of range thanks to the more “ideal” conditions of a dyno run – no inclines, and no need for stopping.

For context, the standard Tesla Model S Long Range model comes with a 103.9 kWh battery from the factory, and promises a fully-electric range of approximately 650 km based on the EPA test cycle.

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ONE claims that the battery – called ‘Gemini’ – is the “word’s first range-extended dual-chemistry battery”. It boasts a high energy density of 416 Wh/L, and uses artificial intelligence to help maximize range.

The company believes that its Gemini battery will provide the surplus energy required to overcome many real-world factors such as high-speed driving, weather, and mountainous roads, which can lead to a loss of more than 35% of rated range.

“We want to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles by eliminating range anxiety, which holds back most consumers today,” said ONE founder and CEO Mujeeb Ijaz.

“We’re now focused on evolving this proof-of-concept battery into a new product called Gemini, which will enable long distance trips on a single charge while improving cost and safety using sustainable materials.” 

The company also says that its high-range batteries can help reduce pressure on EV infrastructure, as it reduces the need for queueing at charging stations (due to the reduced charging needs).

ONE was founded in 2020, and according to its official website, the company received backing from several well-established companies including BMW i Ventures, Volta, and Bill Gate’s Breakthrough Energy.

The company aims to produce its first product – called the Aries, a 79 kW battery – later this year, followed by a demonstration of the Gemini battery’s production prototype in 2023.