1,000 km range and 5 minutes fast charging: solid-state battery is fast approaching! – AutoRAI TV
Solid electrolytes for solid-state batteries
Solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes instead of liquid or gel-like electrolytes as in lithium-ion batteries. Thus, the solid-state battery is a battery that consists of a solid electrode and a solid electrolyte. This reduces the risk of leakage and also significantly reduces the risk of fire or explosion if damaged or overheated. They are more resistant to high temperatures.
Advantages of solid-state batteries
The advantages of solid-state batteries? They have a higher energy density. This means they can store more energy in a smaller and lighter battery. This allows cars to get a longer range without making the battery bigger or heavier. You can also charge faster, thanks to the use of a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one. This is especially useful for electric cars, as charging times are often a stumbling block for consumers.
Solid-state batteries are considered safer. The solid electrolyte is less flammable than the liquid electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries, reducing the risk of overheating, fire or explosions. Also, solid-state batteries wear out less quickly, meaning they can handle more charge cycles before the capacity decreases significantly. This makes solid-state batteries more durable and thus also interesting from an economic point of view.
More efficient production process
Another advantage: solid-state batteries function better in both extremely cold and hot temperatures. Handy when King Winter strikes again in the Netherlands. The biggest plus: by using different materials and a more efficient production process, solid-state batteries can potentially become less dependent on scarce raw materials such as cobalt and lithium. This could reduce environmental impact.
Lighter batteries are a must
In other words, the solid-state battery can be an excellent step toward affordable electric cars. One thing is certain: the time must change when current batteries are too big, too heavy and too expensive. We can probably expect the first models with solid-state batteries around 2027 or 2028. But even then, it will be some time before the technology is widely available.
Toyota
Toyota’s first solid-state battery is expected to offer a 1,000-kilometer range with an 80 percent quick charge time in just 10 minutes. Manufacturers such as Honda, BMW and Volkswagen are also investing heavily in solid-state batteries behind the scenes. They are about 40 percent lighter than lithium-ion batteries. And that, in turn, benefits the range and dynamics of cars.