July 6, 2024
Solid-state batteries – driving NEV industry towards a new growth phase
Recently, at the 2024 World Power Battery Conference, several companies showcased their solid-state battery products.
Since the beginning of this year, the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry has been continuously receiving news about (semi-)solid-state batteries, with many companies announcing progress in related technology, collaborations, and industrialization.
As the technology matures and costs gradually decrease, solid-state batteries are expected to enter the application phase, pushing the NEV industry into a new stage of development.
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Advances in solid-state battery technology
According to a report by CITIC Securities, since 2024, China has seen marginal changes such as the launch of vehicles equipped with semi-solid-state batteries and the penetration rate of semi-solid-state batteries reaching 1%.
These are signs of industrialization. Consumers are forming a premium expectation of around 100,000 to 150,000 yuan for vehicles with long driving ranges, which will aid the penetration of solid-state batteries. It is estimated that by 2030, global shipments of solid-state batteries could reach 643 GWh, with a compound annual growth rate of 133% from 2024 to 2030.
China’s development of semi-solid and all-solid-state batteries enjoys advantages such as low-risk technical pathways, a “steady but rapid” pace, and ample conditions for industrialization. This positions China to potentially experience a new market boom in the “second half” of NEV promotion.
“Solid-state batteries cannot be rushed. We need to proceed step by step; if we try to make them all at once, we will only get a sample,” said Ouyang Minggao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor at Tsinghua University, during his speech on solid-state battery industrialization at the 2024 World Power Battery Conference, drawing significant attention.
What is a solid-state battery?
A solid state battery refers to a lithium secondary battery that contains only solid electrodes and solid electrolytes, without any liquid electrolyte, solvent, or liquid additives.
In recent years, as the NEV industry has rapidly developed, the industry has increasingly recognized that the energy density of traditional liquid lithium batteries has approached its limit, and organic electrolytes present a risk of thermal runaway, making it difficult to meet the growing performance demands of power batteries.
In contrast, solid-state batteries, with advantages such as high safety, high energy density, high power characteristics, good temperature adaptability, and a wide range of material choices, have become the competitive high ground in the global new-generation power battery industry.
Countries including China, South Korea, Japan, the United States, and the European Union have all designated solid-state batteries as an important strategic direction. Automotive and battery companies have also joined the competition within the related industry chain in hopes of gaining a leading position in future industry development.
In just the first half of this year, more than ten Chinese companies have announced timelines for the mass production of solid-state batteries. However, from the specific products on display, these batteries are not truly all-solid-state. For instance, the solid-state battery launched by SAIC’s IM Motors contains “10% infiltration liquid in the battery electrolyte,” making it a semi-solid-state battery.
Solid-state vs. semi-solid battery - a step towards industrialization
Although there is only a one-character difference between “semi-” and “all-” solid-state batteries, this reflects not only a difference in product performance but also the difficulty of commercial application.
It should be noted that although the global research on solid-state batteries has developed multiple technical routes such as polymer, oxide, sulfide, and halide, none of these routes are fully mature, and most are still in the research and development stage, facing various challenges in materials, interfaces, and cells.
For example, sulfide electrolytes have poor chemical and air stability, making mass production difficult, and silicon-carbon anodes have significant volume expansion issues, while lithium anodes remain underdeveloped.
On the interface side, the solid-solid contact between electrode materials and solid electrolytes is also a challenge. On one hand, poor physical contact can lead to high interface impedance after solid-state battery assembly; You can also check the solid polymer electrolyte for your reference.
on the other hand, as electrochemical reactions continue, it is difficult to maintain long-term stability at the contact interface between solid electrolytes and electrodes, potentially causing ongoing side reactions that eventually affect the battery’s rate performance and cycle stability.
Some have vividly compared the difference in conductivity between lithium ions shuttling between the electrodes in solid-state and liquid-state batteries to the difference between “swimming in sand” and “swimming in water,” indicating the difficulty of breakthroughs.
The difficulties in commercializing solid-state batteries
Of course, achieving the commercialization of solid-state batteries requires not only technological breakthroughs and material performance improvements but also cost reduction.
First, the raw materials, including solid electrolytes and higher theoretical capacity anodes and cathodes, are expensive. For example, lithium sulfide costs 5 to 10 times more than lithium carbonate.
Second, solid-state batteries require extremely high standards for production environments and raw material purity, posing more stringent requirements for production processes and quality control, with a higher replacement rate for production equipment. Additionally, the incomplete industrial chain will also drive up costs.
Power batteries are often referred to as the “heart” of NEVs. In the rapid electrification of China’s automotive industry, innovations in power battery technology and cost reductions have played a central role.
Currently, China has essentially built a complete liquid lithium battery industry ecosystem, covering all stages from upstream mineral resources, material manufacturing, and battery production to vehicle application and recycling, breaking the monopoly of Japan and South Korea and becoming the global leader in the liquid lithium battery industry.
However, facing the disruptive risk posed by solid-state batteries and the temporary global patent leadership of Japan and South Korea, we must remain clear-headed, avoid playing with concepts or creating marketing gimmicks, and solidly advance fundamental research and key technology breakthroughs in solid-state batteries.
At the same time, we must maintain strategic composure, as “haste makes waste,” and a step-by-step approach may prove to be the fastest route.
Read more: top 10 lithium battery electrolyte manufacturers in China
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Nancy
Nancy has worked hands-on with battery swap infrastructure for electric two- and three-wheelers since 2021, including deployment projects in South Asia. She regularly consults on EV fleet electrification and has contributed technical specifications to multiple swapping station manufacturers. Her market analysis is grounded in direct collaboration with importers, dealers, and RMV registration data.
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