SCiB batteries are useful for a wide range of functions, from electric bicycles and hybrid and electric vehicles, to industrial equipment and renewable energy storage. Toshiba has now opened a US-based technical support center to aid in developing the SCiB, particularly for vehicles, grid storage, and wind and solar power applications.

The SCiB has characteristics that make it very appealing. It performs like an ultracapacitor with rapid charge times, reaching 90% charge in about 5 minutes. It is good for thousands of cycles without extensive capacity loss, and it has a life span of 10 years or more.

With these properties, solar and wind power generation as options for the power grid are actually increased as well as making electric vehicles more enticing. Imagine filling your electric vehicle with power in about 5 minutes, close to the time it takes to fill an average car with gas currently. I see this as a major advancement.