New silicon anodes could help EV batteries go farther, charge faster

TDK

04/04/2023 21:11

By Paul Lienert
       April 4 (Reuters) - A new generation of electric vehicle
(EV) batteries that hold more energy, achieve longer driving
range and charge more quickly should begin reaching customers by
mid-decade, powered by new silicon-based electrodes that are
slated to go into production next year in central Washington
state.
    Two startup companies, Group14 Technologies and Sila
Nanotechnologies, are focused on new applications for silicon,
an abundant element that is being developed as a supplement or
replacement for graphite in battery anodes.
    Seven-year-old Group14 said on Tuesday that it has begun
constructing a commercial-grade facility in Moses Lake for its
SCC55 silicon-carbon powder. 
    When the plant opens in 2024, it will have initial capacity
to produce enough anode material for up to 200,000 EVs, with
plans to triple capacity to meet still-growing demand.
    Group14’s first automotive customer is Porsche  PSHG_p.DE ,
one of several corporate investors along with TDK's  6762.T 
Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), BASF  BASFn.DE  and SK Inc
 034730.KS . The company so far has raised $650 million.
    Group14’s joint-venture plant in Korea with battery maker SK
is scheduled to open this year, according to Rick Luebbe, CEO
and co-founder.
    Twelve-year-old Sila Nano plans to begin production of its
Titan Silicon nano-composite anode material next year at a
facility in Moses Lake, according to Gene Berdichevsky, CEO and
co-founder. 
    Mercedes-Benz  MBGn.DE  is scheduled to be the first
automotive customer in 2025, starting with its EQG electric SUV.
Sila has raised more than $900 million, with Mercedes, ATL and
Siemens  SIEGn.DE  among its corporate investors.
    Strong demand for silicon-rich anodes means “we’re under
pressure to go faster and bigger,” Luebbe said. Even with the
plants in Korea and Washington coming online, “We have more
demand than we can support.”
    Still, “it’ll take more than 10 years” for silicon to
replace graphite as the main ingredient in anodes, Berdichevsky
said.

 (Reporting by Paul Lienert in Detroit; Editing by Josie Kao)
 ((Paul.Lienert@thomsonreuters.com; mobile +1 313-670-2452;))