Lithium-ion batteries have quickly become the standard for powering vehicles, but South 8 CEO Tom Stepien says they have three problems: “fire, cold, and cost.” South 8 addresses all three with LiGas, a liquefied gas electrolyte that, when injected into battery cells, provides a more stable and longer-lasting charge than conventional liquids. While lithium-ion battery fires can burn for up to five to 10 minutes, LiGas batteries burned for just six seconds in a U.S. Army test, reducing fire risk. The LiGas batteries work in minus 60°F, versus minus 30°F for conventional batteries, and cost around $100 per kilowatt hour, versus $150. LiGas also allows batteries to charge in minutes versus hours. South 8 has a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense and is talking to major car companies.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Inside Elon Musk’s War on Washington Meet the 2025 Women of the Year Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer? Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love 11 New Books to Read in February How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone Cecily Strong on Goober the Clown Column: The Rise of America’s Broligarchy
- Inside Elon Musk’s War on Washington
- Meet the 2025 Women of the Year
- Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?
- Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love
- 11 New Books to Read in February
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- Cecily Strong on Goober the Clown
- Column: The Rise of America’s Broligarchy
Contact us at letters@time.com