Solid-state batteries have been touted as having higher energy density, shorter charging times and costing less than traditional lithium-ion batteries. Are they the answer to mass market adoption of electric vehicles?
Solid-state batteries are safer, cheaper and
can be used for longer without a decline in performance, requiring fewer raw
materials.
Countries are looking to accelerate EV uptake to
help meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The transportation sector accounts
for 24% of all greenhouse gas emissions, with road transport accounting for three-quarters
of that pollution, according to the IEA.
Additional climate urgency has come
from the UN's latest IPCC report, which said that limiting global
warming to close to 1.5C or even 2C above pre-industrial levels “will
be beyond reach” by 2040 without immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions.
The next-generation power source, named for
the solid electrolytes that replace the flammable liquid solution in current
li-ion batteries, can store energy far more densely—meaning they can travel
longer distances between charges. The electrolytes also double as the battery’s
separator, the barrier between cathode and anode, reducing the fire risk and making
them safer. They can be used for longer without a decline in performance,
requiring fewer raw materials.