Start-ups Eyeing Ways to Add More Power to EV Batteries

The limited driving range of electric vehicles coupled with the slow pace of spreading the charging network is resulting in a slower-than-expected growth in electric vehicle usage. This has resulted in new start-ups focusing more than ever on enhancing the battery life or even considering a move from lithium-ion batteries to solid state ones. 

A report published by Technology Review has profiled US-based Solid Power Inc which is now attempting to create solid-state batteries that could add more power into a smaller space while also reducing concerns over safety issues that the lithium-ion batteries have thrown up. 

Solid Power, which is backed by Ford and BMW, began pilot production of its battery cell recently. The technology, which could provide EV owners with more range and shorter recharge times at considerably lower costs, may start prototype testing on vehicles by year-end. CEO Doug Campbell was quoted by CNBC as saying that this could become a crucial step in the validation process needed to move to mass production. 

Solid-state versus Lithium-ion

Solid-state batteries have attempted to do away with the liquid or gel electrolyte that is found in the existing lithium-ion batteries. Not only do these have the potential to offer longer drives and shorter recharge duration, they’re also less risk prone to fires in lithium-ion batteries. Readers may recall the recent instances of EV two-wheelers catching fire in India.

Solid-state battery experiments have drawn big investments from major auto manufacturers in the past few years. Besides Solid Power, there’s QuantumScape as well as a few others funded by auto-makers such as Toyota and Honda. However, the problem is that till date solid-state battery designs aren’t capable of being mass-produced at low prices. 

What’s Solid Power up to? 

Solid Power Inc uses technology that replaces the liquid in lithium-ion batteries with ceramic layers that are about the size of a small laptop. The company appears to be away from commercial production though they are planning to ramp up production to cover about 800,000 cars annually by 2028. 

The company does not plan to actually manufacture and sell the batteries in future, instead only providing the solid electrolyte material to other manufacturers. The new technology could result in batteries packing more energy into smaller spaces and enhancing drive distances from the current 350 miles to more than 500 miles between two charges. 

Of course, the concept of removing liquid electrolytes from the battery cells isn’t new, given that many have researched the option of using organic polymers and polyethylene oxide. While these are easier to procure and cheaper to make, the performances haven’t really measured up to expectations.