Factbox: Solid state: EV giants chase 'holy grail' of batteries
16/01/2024 06:00
By Eric Onstad
LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Solid-state batteries hold
the promise of more energy storage, longer driving ranges and
faster charging for next-generation electric vehicles. Yet
despite decades of research and billions of dollars invested,
their future still looks elusive.
Here are some of the companies developing these kind of
batteries. EV market leader Tesla TSLA.O , an industry outlier,
has not detailed any solid-state development plans.
U.S. startup QuantumScape QS.N , which has deals with six
automakers including Volkswagen VOWG.DE , has developed a
semi-solid state cell with no anode that uses lithium metal, a
ceramic separator and liquid electrolyte. The company says it
could boost an EV's driving range from 350 miles to 400-500
miles, an increase of 14%-43%. The expected range increase is
down from earlier estimates of 50%-80%.
QuantumScape shipped its first prototype samples in late
2022, which VW said showed the battery could drive more than
500,000 miles without any noticeable loss of range and had a
fast charging time to 80% capacity in 15 minutes.
France's Blue Solutions BOLL.PA is already selling solid
state batteries for buses with a charging time of four hours,
but is developing a new product for cars that uses a polymer
electrolyte and ultra-thin lithium metal anode, aiming to have a
charging time of less than 20 minutes and enabling a range
increase of about 30% to nearly 1,000 km.
The company says it aims to build a gigafactory for its new
batteries by 2029 and has signed a joint development agreement
with BMW BMWG.DE .
Toyota 7203.T , the world's biggest automaker, said in June
it had achieved a breakthrough in solid-state technology that
addressed durability problems. It said it planned
commercialisation in 2027-2028 of a battery with a range of
1,000 km and a charging time of 10 minutes.
ProLogium Technology of Taiwan said that by the end of 2023
it aimed to ship prototype samples of its semi-solid-state
batteries that enable a near doubling of the energy densities of
the packs.
The firm, which has a cooperation deal with Mercedes-Benz
MBGn.DE , Stellantis STLAM.MI and TotalEnergies TTEF.PA , is
building a gigafactory in Taiwan and plans one in France.
Chinese EV maker Nio 9866.HK has commercialized 150
kilowatt hour (kWh) semi-solid-state batteries for its EVs,
manufactured by Beijing Welion New Energy, which have a range of
up to 1,000 km. Nio sells EVs in China and Europe and operates a
battery-swapping service for its vehicles.
Ganfeng LiEnergy, a subsidiary of Ganfeng Lithium
002460.SZ , is producing semi-solid-state batteries that power
EVs produced by China's Seres, such as the Seres 5 SUV which has
a range of 530 km, with a fast charge time of 50 minutes.
China's CATL 300750.SZ , one of the world's biggest battery
producers, last year unveiled a condensed matter battery, a type
of semi-solid-state battery it said could supply enough energy
to power electric passenger aircraft. It had said it could start
mass production of the batteries for EVs later in 2023, though
hasn't provided an update on this.
U.S. startup Solid Power SLDP.O delivered test cells of
its semi-solid state battery with a sulfide-based solid
electrolyte and a high-content silicon anode to BMW late last
year. It is also in the early stages of developing a battery
with a lithium metal anode. Ford F.N , BMW, Hyundai 005380.KS
and SK Innovation have invested in the company.
Another American player, Factorial Energy, delivered
prototype samples of its semi-solid state battery to automaker
partners last year for testing. The startup, which aims for a
battery range of 600 miles, has agreements with Mercedes-Benz,
Stellantis and Hyundai.
South Korea's LG Energy Solution 373220.KS said last year
it aimed to develop polymer-based and sulfide-based solid state
batteries by 2026 and 2030 respectively.
South Korea's SK On, the battery unit of energy group SK
Innovation 096770.KS , is developing two types of solid-state
cells - high-molecular-oxide composite batteries and
sulfide-based batteries - aiming to produce prototypes by 2026
and commercialize them by 2028.
South Korea's Samsung SDI 006400.KS is developing a
solid-state battery without an anode and launched production of
prototypes last year ahead of expected mass production in 2027.
Honda 7267.T plans to launch a solid-state battery test
line in 2024, aiming to use the batteries in models in the
latter part of this decade. It also invested in SES AI SES.N
to jointly develop semi-solid state batteries.
Nissan 7201.T plans to launch an EV a pure solid-state
battery developed in-house by its fiscal year 2028.
(Reporting by Eric Onstad; Additional reporting by Zoey Zhang
in Shanghai; Editing by Pravin Char)
((eric.onstad@thomsonreuters.com; +44 20 7542 7093; Twitter https://twitter.com/reutersEricO;
Reuters Messaging: eric.onstad.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))