The race for next-generation EV batteries may soon shift to semi-solid-state batteries | Wilnesh News

PARIS, France — The push to commercialize solid-state batteries for electric vehicles is well underway, but analysts say the auto giants may be on the cusp of pivoting to a different kind of transformative science.

Solid-state batteries have long been touted as “holy grailAs the name suggests, solid-state batteries contain a solid electrolyte made of materials such as ceramics.

This new generation of technology can theoretically hold more energy per unit volume than lithium-ion batteries. Supporters say it provides safer, cheaper and more powerful batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), as well as faster charging times.

Automakers have invested billions in solid-state battery research and are working with developers to produce their own versions for mass production.

Take Japan’s Toyota Motor Corporation as an example explain The company aims to put solid-state batteries into mass production between 2027 and 2028. miles) charging time is only 10 minutes.

Japan Nissan explain In April this year, the company planned to launch solid-state batteries for electric vehicles in early 2029, while Germany’s Mercedes-Benz Group and American battery start-up Factory explain In September, they were collaborating to develop solid-state batteries that will be in production by the end of the decade. Factorial also has joint development agreements with automakers including Stellantis, Hyundai and Kia.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund, the average range of an electric vehicle in the United States on a single charge is nearly 300 miles (or 483 kilometers), and the time it takes to charge a battery-powered electric vehicle can take 20 minutes or a few hours, depending on the Speed ​​of cars and charging points.

Wood Mackenzie analyst Max Reid said solid-state batteries are at the beginning of a long journey to commercialization.

“Obviously, the results look very promising — safer, higher energy density and especially the charging speed, which we think is probably one of the main benefits of solid state,” Reed told CNBC via video call.

However, despite growing hype over the potential launch of solid-state batteries, analysts remain skeptical about when they will actually hit the market.

Wood Mackenzie’s Reid said a major drawback of solid-state batteries is the expansion of the cells during charging and ultimately their degradation after heavy charging.

“Five years ago, if we were talking about this, I would have been very excited about solid-state batteries,” Julia Poliscanova, senior director of vehicles and electric vehicle supply chain at the Transportation and Environment Campaign, told CNBC in Paris said during the interview.

“But somehow, in this space between pilot and commercialization, there is some kind of barrier, some kind of barrier today, because every time I talk to automotive executives at battery conferences, I always hear the same answer : ‘We still have five to seven years.'”

“When you look at the current technology, lithium-ion batteries, they’ve just made a lot of progress. The incremental improvements in cheaper technology are so good that maybe putting all the focus on solid-state batteries is no longer the case. So attractive.

However, there may be another option: semi-solid-state batteries. The batteries use a hybrid design of solid and liquid electrolytes, and some analysts say they could act as a bridge between the two types of batteries.

Reed said semi-solid-state batteries have been commercialized in China “to a large extent” and “actually, I think, it’s a compromise technology that will actually eliminate the need for all-solid-state batteries.”

“Whereas Because of the slowdown in (EV) demand in the West and these issues with solid state, you might see some negative announcements or less positive announcements about full solid state and actually move to semi-solid state once you realize that. There’s a need for better transition technology every year,” Reed said.