Honda-Backed Israeli Startup to Harness Nuclear Fusion for Electric Vehicles
In a groundbreaking development, an Israeli startup backed by Honda Motor is set to revolutionise the electric vehicle (EV) industry by using nuclear fusion as a power source.
NT-Tao, the startup in question, plans to create mini fusion power generation facilities that will serve as charging stations for EVs. This significant advancement signals the acceleration of the long-awaited energy source.
NT-Tao aims to manufacture demonstration facilities by 2029 and aims to commercialise them in the 2030s. These fusion power generation facilities will have an impressive output of 10,000 to 20,000 kilowatts, making them powerful enough to charge EVs efficiently. What's more, they will be compact enough to fit into a cargo container, allowing for easy installation even in remote areas off the power grid.
The collaboration between NT-Tao and Princeton University in the United States, along with the financial support from the Israeli government, highlights the global interest and investment in this groundbreaking technology. Nuclear fusion, which aims to replicate the same reactions that occur inside the sun, is an emission-free energy source. In fact, in 2022, a U.S. national laboratory achieved a major milestone by extracting more energy from its fusion reactor than was put into it.
NT-Tao has garnered significant support from investors, including Honda and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, raising a total of $28 million thus far. Honda is considering utilising fusion power generation for EV charging stations, and NT-Tao's facilities would enable the simultaneous charging of up to 1,000 vehicles. Additionally, there are plans to install these mini power stations at data centers and factories, further expanding their potential applications.
According to NT-Tao CEO Oded Gour-Lavie, the estimated investment for a 20,000-kilowatt power generation facility would range from $70 million to $100 million. The generation costs are projected to be between 6 and 13 cents per kilowatt hour. This cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution could revolutionise the EV industry, providing a stable supply of electricity without relying solely on weather-dependent solar and wind power.
Israeli startup NT-Tao, backed by Honda Motor, plans to use nuclear fusion as a power source for EV charging stations.
The fusion power generation facilities will have an output of 10,000 to 20,000 kilowatts and can be installed in cargo containers.
Collaboration with Princeton University and financial support from the Israeli government highlight the global interest in this technology.
Source: NIKKEI ASIA