The landscape of battery technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, particularly with the advent of solid-state batteriesThese innovative power sources promise to address several limitations inherent in traditional lithium-ion batteries while pushing the boundaries of energy density and safetyAs the global community turns its attention to sustainable energy solutions, the race to develop and commercialize solid-state batteries has intensified, especially among automotive manufacturers and technology firmsAt the recent Second China All-Solid-State Battery Innovation Development Summit Forum, industry leaders articulated a roadmap for solid-state battery production, envisioning small-scale manufacturing by 2027.

The shift towards solid-state batteries is primarily driven by the limitations of liquid lithium-ion batteries, which have reached energy density levels that are close to their theoretical maximum of around 350 Wh/kgAdditionally, issues such as thermal runaway pose significant safety concernsSolid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolytes found in conventional batteries with solid electrolytes, which enhances safety and potentially offers higher energy densitiesAs such, these batteries have been characterized as the next frontier in energy storage technology, promising to be the successor to liquid lithium-ion batteries.

At the summit, academician and chair of the China All-Solid-State Battery Industry-Academia-Research Collaborative Innovation Platform, Ouyang Minggao, emphasized the need for a focused approach in developing solid-state batteriesHe identified the route of using sulfide-based electrolytes, paired with high-nickel ternary cathodes and silicon-carbon anodes, aiming for energy density targets of 400 Wh/kg and a cycle life exceeding 1000 cycles by 2027. Achieving these benchmarks will be crucial for the automotive industry as it looks to integrate these batteries into vehicles.

However, the path to commercializing solid-state battery technology is fraught with challenges

Advertisements

The complexity of production processes forms a major barrier to the widespread adoption of solid-state batteriesAs Professor Sun Shigang from Xiamen University pointed out, the search for suitable solid electrolytes is criticalAn ideal solid electrolyte would exhibit high ionic conductivity, chemical stability, and mechanical strengthCurrently, the performance of solid electrolytes across various materials — including polymers, oxides, and sulfides — presents a dilemma: while polymer electrolytes are easier to process, they fall short in terms of ionic conductivityOn the other hand, oxide and sulfide electrolytes offer better conductivity and safety but come with higher manufacturing complexities and costs.

Another significant concern is interfacial stabilityPoor contact between the electrodes and the solid electrolyte can lead to increased internal resistance, hindering overall battery performanceThe interplay of materials science with engineering principles is pivotal in overcoming these technical hurdles that solid-state batteries face.

Cost is yet another factor that hampers the mass production of solid-state batteriesAccording to industry expert Miao Wei, the current cost of conventional liquid lithium-ion batteries is approximately 0.5 RMB (around 0.08 USD) per watt-hourIn contrast, solid-state batteries, with their current manufacturing processes, see costs soar to over 2 RMB per watt-hourThis disparity translates to exorbitant costs for battery packs; for example, a 100 kWh battery would cost more than 200,000 RMB, making them significantly less competitive compared to liquid batteries for the foreseeable future.

Nonetheless, insights from BYD's Chief Technology Officer, Sun Huajun, highlight a potential for cost parity in the long runHe noted that the most significant contributor to costs within sulfide solid-state batteries is actually the nickel-cobalt-manganese materialsSun suggested that as production scales, the costs could potentially align, making solid-state batteries as economically viable as their liquid counterparts.

In the global arena, nations like Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Germany are heavily investing in solid-state battery technology, with ambitions to leapfrog China's advancements in the power battery industry

Advertisements

Major companies such as Toyota expect to bring solid-state batteries into practical use between 2027 and 2028, while Samsung anticipates starting mass production in 2027. Chinese automotive giants like SAIC, GAC, Chery, and BYD have all laid out their timelines for solid-state battery production, with CATL focusing on sulfide solutions and commencing trial production of 20Ah cells ahead of small-scale manufacturing expected by 2027.

Within BYD, efforts are already underway to validate the commercialization of solid-state batteriesPlans encompass the development of critical materials, cells, and production lines, aiming to establish a foothold in the market by the aforementioned timeline of 2027. Furthermore, BYD's journey began in 2013 when the company initiated research into solid-state technologiesOver the years, they have progressively moved towards practical applications, underscoring their commitment to innovation.

In parallel, organizations like FAW Group are making strides in solid-state battery developmentTheir lead scientist, Wang Deping, disclosed that after several years of research, they have achieved breakthroughs in key technologies, and they expect to see prototypes with energy densities matching 400 Wh/kg in the next two to three yearsSimilarly, GAC Aion is exploring two pathways for solid-state electrolyte materials, one based on sulfides and the other on polymers, focusing on enhancing the performance of electrodes and interface technologies.

Li Jin from GAC highlighted the role that artificial intelligence (AI) could play in accelerating solid-state battery advancementsWith the rapid development of AI, there are aspirations to leverage simulations and deep learning in addressing challenges related to the stability, safety, and manufacturability of solid electrolytesThis integration of AI is expected to significantly speed up the pace of development and innovation in the field of solid-state battery technology.

As the industry races towards the deployment of solid-state batteries, the synergy between research, development, and production will be crucial in shaping the future of energy storage solutions

Advertisements

Advertisements

Advertisements