2024-04-29 09:01:38
With never-before-seen energy densities, charging times and safety levels, the solid-state battery promises a real revolution for electric cars. If a target was generally set for 2030, CATL, world leader in batteries, has just announced the start of production in 2027. But starting with small quantities.
The battery of an MG4 (for illustration) // Source: MG
Electric cars are just a subject like any other, and are not immune to sea serpents. solid batteries is probably the topic that arouses the most enthusiasm, with many promises: express charging, XXL autonomy and never-before-seen levels of security.
Promises that are only theoretical… but that should change soon. If many manufacturers (esp BMW or Toyota) promises solid-state battery electric cars around 2030, CATLworld leader in batteries, has just announced the start of production in 2027.
Step by step
The announcement was made by Wu Kai, the chief scientist of CATL, below China International Battery Fair (CIBF), on the sidelines of the Beijing Motor Show. An announcement sent by CNEVpostwhere the manager is still extremely cautious.
The difference between a Li-ion battery and a solid-state battery // Source: Samsung
If CATL plans to produce its first solid-state batteries in 2027, it will be in small quantities. The company rates product maturity on a scale of 1 to 9, and we’re now at 4 – the idea is to reach 7 or 8 in 2027, when mass production can begin.
Many difficulties remain to be overcome before mass production, Wu Kai warns us, especially when it comes to production costs.
Big promises and lots of resources
Still, the game is worth it. According to CATL, the energy density current lithium-ion batteries tends towards 350 Wh/kg and is no longer expected to increase significantly. The solid-state battery in preparation, for its part, might advertise 500 Wh/kg, an increase of 70%!
Nio’s semi-solid batteries // Source: Nio
This would allow much more energy to be stored for the same weight, enough to increase autonomy without increasing weight. Nine has also proved it with his solution of semi-solid batteryable to exceed 1000 km of autonomy under real conditions.
CATL therefore has problems to solve, but it is well supported: the Chinese government has created a “super-partnership” between the mark and BID, the world’s number 2 in batteries, but also in universities. In short, results should come quickly, and this 2027 goal suddenly seems more viable.
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