Shell unveiled its Triple 10 Challenge concept car this week, showcasing battery technology that could transform how small electric vehicles charge and perform.
The Triple 10 Challenge gets its name from three targets: 10-minute charging from a 175kW rapid charger, 10 kilometers per kilowatt-hour efficiency (6.2 miles/kWh), and 10 tonnes of lifecycle CO2 emissions.
Shell’s goal is demonstrating how new automotive technologies can help mainstream manufacturers build more efficient EVs. The project also showcases the company’s EV-specific fluids and lubricants – boosting demand from automakers.
Revolutionary Battery Cooling System
The Triple 10 Challenge uses a fluid-immersed battery co-developed with Northampton engineering firm JML.
The pack features two banks of cylindrical cells submerged in Shell’s non-electrically conductive fluid. This fluid chills battery cells directly, eliminating the coolant pipes that run over traditional EV battery modules.
Shell says immersing batteries in coolant improves thermal management. The batteries can run at optimal temperature almost constantly.
By removing thermal constraints, the 32kWh battery sustains 175kW peak charging throughout entire sessions. This promises 10-80% charging in 10 minutes.
Most EVs now have peak charging rates exceeding 300kW. But their cooling systems restrict these numbers to short bursts.
Cascading Benefits
According to Shell, better cooling improves energy recovery from the regenerative braking system. This creates what the company calls a “virtuous upward spiral.”
Better cooling improves electrical efficiency and range. Faster charging reduces range anxiety. This means manufacturers can use smaller batteries, reducing weight and cost.
Cooler batteries can connect to the same radiator as motors and power electronics. This shared cooling architecture saves weight, complexity, and cost for manufacturers.
More effective cooling helps protect against thermal runaway events – reactions from damaged cells that can cause fires.
The experimental battery tech improves recyclability and repairability. Instead of thermal paste, the fluid gets siphoned into a bucket and modules pull out easily.
Sustainable Materials Throughout
Beyond the battery, the Triple 10 Challenge uses eco-friendly materials. The chassis uses recycled aluminum, producing 10% of the CO2 emissions compared to new materials.
The roof and wheels use recycled carbon fiber to minimize weight. Shell borrowed from Skoda’s approach and manufactured interior parts from flax.
The concept demonstrates how fluid-immersed cooling could become standard in future EVs, potentially solving charging speed limitations that currently require larger battery packs.
