Solid state batteries: how far away is the solution for electric mobility?
The development of electric car projects cannot continue without serious innovations in the battery sector that make EV vehicles economically and efficiently competitive with internal combustion ones.
In the UK and Europe there is a ban on the sale of new ICE cars from 2035, encouraging many consumers to switch to battery-powered electric alternatives lest they be caught out. This will soon become the norm. However, many consumers are still reluctant to make the switch as they wait for manufacturers to develop technologies to improve the range and performance of their EVs to become more competitive with ICE vehicles. A poll conducted by Reuters in March showed that 35% of people surveyed in the United States wanted electric vehicles to have a range of 500 miles or more, much higher than what most electric vehicles currently offer.
One of the many ways automakers are trying to improve their electric vehicles is through the development of a solid-state battery . Currently, most companies use lithium batteries to power their vehicles, which can be recharged via a grid electrical connection to keep the car running. Lithium batteries use a liquid electrolyte solution that allows lithium ions to move to make the battery work. In contrast, a solid-state battery would use a solid, rather than liquid, electrolyte. Taking this step would allow automakers to eliminate the heavy separator component needed to prevent the positive electrode from contacting the negative electrode.
Solid-state batteries are considered safer as they do not require the flammable liquid required in traditional lithium-ion batteries, reducing the risk of fire. They are also lighter than traditional batteries and require a shorter charging time. These batteries are expected to significantly improve the performance of electric vehicles, allowing them to travel longer distances. However, there are some drawbacks. While solid-state batteries may perform better, their lifespan may be shorter, as over time they may form cracks and require replacement.
Manufacturers also worry about the production costs associated with solid-state batteries and how much consumers will be willing to pay for vehicles using the new technology. These types of batteries are in the nascent stage of production and will likely appeal to a niche market upon their initial release. The small production means that costs are likely to be high. However, if successful, the large-scale rollout of solid-state batteries could lead to mass production, which will reduce costs, as we have seen with lithium-ion batteries.
In recent years, several major automakers have announced that they are developing solid-state batteries. In July, Toyota announced a breakthrough in its technology, saying it had simplified the process of producing the materials needed for production. The new technology will allow the size, cost and weight of electric vehicle batteries to be halved. Toyota has been developing the technology since 2012 and now holds more than 1,100 patents for solid-state batteries, more than any other automaker. It plans to launch its first solid-state battery electric vehicles as early as 2027 and says the new battery could provide a range of 1,200 km in charging time of just 10 minutes. In contrast, the Tesla Supercharger network, currently the largest of its kind, offers 300km of charging in 15 minutes.
In an effort to develop the technology, Volkswagen became the largest shareholder in QuantamScape . Similarly, Mercedes Benz announced that it is collaborating with Prologium, a Taiwanese solid-state battery manufacturer. Meanwhile, China, which leads the global battery manufacturing market, believes it has found a cheaper way to develop solid-state batteries. This supports the country's goal of becoming a major producer of low-cost electric vehicles, with many new Chinese automakers already undercutting much of the global competition on pricing.
However, while many are optimistic about the technology, some are more cautious. In October, Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars, said: “My personal opinion is that solid state is still a few years away, but obviously we are involved in the research and development on that.” Therefore, although solid-state batteries could be widely used in the future, it could take ten years or more before they are used in mainstream electric vehicle production.
There is great hope for the development of the technology needed to make solid-state electric vehicle batteries a reality in the near future. However, as with lithium-ion batteries, it will likely be years before the technology becomes mainstream, and most manufacturers will stick with the batteries they have been familiar with since 2019.
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The article Solid state batteries: how far away is the solution for electric mobility? comes from Economic Scenarios .
This is a machine translation of a post published on Scenari Economici at the URL https://scenarieconomici.it/batterie-allo-stato-solido-quanto-e-lontana-la-soluzione-per-la-mobilita-elettrica/ on Sun, 05 Nov 2023 20:34:57 +0000.