Solid-state batteries and their technological advances
Batteries are the back-bone of electrical vehicles representing around 30% of the cost of the vehicle and the main reason why EVs remain more expensive than combustion engine vehicles.
Battery improvements are essential for enhancing the performance, affordability, and environmental sustainability of electric vehicles which are issues that discourage people making the switch so the race to find the next battery technology is on.
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Lithium-ion batteries have been integrated into general lives since the 1900s and are used in all mass-market electric vehicles on the market today. New battery technologies promise improved safety concerns, environmental credentials and lifespan; the main technologies being Solid-State-Batteries, Lithium-Sulfur, Silicone Anode, Lithium-Iron-Phosphate, Nickel-Cobalt-Free and Post-Lithium batteries.
However, it is the Solid-State Batteries (SSBs) which are considered one of the most promising technologies.
How do Solid-state batteries compete with Lithium-ion?
Several performance indicators make SSBs an attractive choice over lithium-ion:
· Enhanced Safety – SSBs solid structure maintains the same form even if the electrolyte is damaged. The absence of flammable liquid electrolytes (used in the structure of lithium-ion) reduces the risk of thermal runaway and lowers the chance of fire and explosion.
· Higher energy density – SSBs offer a higher energy density, which means how much electricity can be output for a given weight/volume. Electricity output is key for EVs because, whether the battery remains the same size and electrical output increases or the electrical output stays the same, and the weight of the battery decreases, it results in more range.
· Longer life cycle – SSBs tend to have a longer life cycle, meaning they can withstand more charge and discharge cycles without significant degradation. Today’s batteries degrade over time, and the fire risk grows as they do so.
· Faster charging – projections for SSBs in EVs estimate a full charge in 10-15 minutes, compared to lithium-ion batteries, which take around an hour.
· Wider operation temperature range – SSBs operate within a broader range of temperatures, making them suitable for more extreme conditions.
· Construction time – SSBs do not require the filling and conditioning phase needed for lithium-ion batteries. In this phase, the battery is initially gently charged in preparation for its normal life. Eliminating this phase reduces construction by almost three weeks.
What are the drawbacks?
The challenges to the mass adoption of SSBs are substantial. The technology is still new and has internal problems that need further research before a solution can be applied to mass manufacturing. Cost is also an issue. Not only do they require higher densities of rare materials, but they will also require new factories and procedures for manufacturing. Improvements in technology will also lead to it becoming most cost-competitive, but until this, prices will run high.
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