China’s EV giant to mass produce solid-state batteries for extended range, more energy
Solid-state EV batteries are expected to have substantially increased energy density.
A leading Chinese EV maker that achieved several breakthroughs in solid-state battery tech has now confirmed to adopt it for large-scale EV manufacturing. BYD is in the process of launching its EV powered by all-solid-state batteries (SSBs). Such SSBs feature solid electrolytes instead of liquid electrolytes that are used in lithium-ion batteries.
These cells could be safer than lithium ones for EV operations, and by changing electrolytes from liquid to solid, batteries can achieve a variety of outstanding characteristics.
The company plans to use sulfide-based solid-state batteries that will mainly be used in higher-end vehicles.
First BYD EV with all-solid-state batteries to arrive soon
Sun Huajun, the CTO of BYD’s battery business (Shenzen BYD Lithium Battery Co), revealed that BYD expects its first EVs with all-solid-state batteries to arrive within two years.
Sun also highlighted that the first two years will serve as a demonstration phase with limited production.
In the next five years, the company expects that the new battery tech could be adopted on a large scale.
Faster charging, stable functions
BYD claimed that the sulfide electrolytes can last longer, offer faster charging, and have more stable functions for EVs.
The company’s executives expect the cost of solid-state ternary batteries to become comparable to liquid ternary batteries, though reaching volume production is expected to take at least a few years.
Solid-state EV batteries are expected to have substantially increased energy density, ultimately offering better driving range along with faster charging times, according to a report.
Currently, BYD is the world’s second-largest battery maker behind Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., which is also based in China.
Last year, BYD installed a total battery capacity of 153.7 GWh across its products for a 17.2 percent global market share, following CATL, which held about 37.9 percent of the market.
CATL is also planning to begin producing all-solid-state EV batteries in 2027 but in small volumes at first.
Mass production of solid-state batteries
Currently, mass-produced all-solid-state batteries are not yet available in the market. These are much safer than lithium-ion batteries that use liquid electrolytes, which can cause side reactions, making materials for electrodes and other parts of the battery more susceptible to deterioration.
Multiple automakers are planning to develop a small solid-state battery while focusing on the performance of materials rather than restrictions of mass-production methods; however, for commercialization, it is important to develop batteries while envisioning future mass-production methods, which will enable these batteries to meet the requirements for each model such as size and cost.
The size and structure of electrodes and the specific stamping method required for all-solid-state batteries affect each other in terms of performance, cost, and quality.
All-solid-state batteries have been promoted as “the next-generation” and “holy grail” of EV battery tech because of their potential to offer higher energy density, faster charging, and improved safety over traditional lithium-ion, reported Electrek.
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