Learn more about the latest in new battery technology and discover the next generation in battery and energy storage with expert analysis by Power Systems Research analysts.
The push to commercialize solid-state batteries is underway with industries from automotive to storage betting on the technology. But while the technology has been taking longer than expected to take off, semi-solid-state batteries, which use a hybrid design of solid and liquid electrolyte, have been making steady progress toward commercialization.
The latest findings from Taipei-based intelligence provider TrendForce show that all-solid-state battery production volumes could have GWh levels by 2027. This rapid expansion could lead to cell price declines, reaching the $84-$98 level by 2035.
PSR Analysis: The benefits of solid state batteries (higher energy density leading to longer range, rapid charging, safety and lower weigh) are well known. If the costs can come down because of mass production, then this will become a significant game changer. PSR
Nevada Gets World’s First Lithium-Sulfur Battery Gigafactory
In 2008, batteries cost $1,355 per kilowatt-hour, and the goal of an $80/kWh EV battery seemed ridiculous. But today the cost of EV batteries is dropping within shouting distance of that $80 goal, pulling the total cost of EV ownership down with it.
The total cost of EV ownership over time, including fuel and maintenance, has been close to, or at parity with, comparable gas automobiles for many years. The deciding factors for specific vehicles vary, but drivers in the US are owning their cars for longer periods — they hit a record average of 12.5 years in 2023 — so that long-term fuel and maintenance savings advantage for EVs can tip the balance.
The November 2024 issue of the Alternative Power Report published by Power Systems Research includes articles on battery development and discussions on the declining costs of battery power for EVs. Reduced battery costs means reduced costs for EVs, too. An article discusses the outlook for clean energy in the U.S. now that Trump has regained the White House. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
There’s plenty of news on battery development of EVs in the October 2024 issue of the Alternative Power Report published by Power Systems Research. You can also read about VW’s plans to restructure its labor force, as well as several articles on hydrogen power. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast and Technology Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
A European research consortium has produced a prototype solid-state battery using a new manufacturing process that reportedly achieves high energy densities and can be implemented on modern lithium-ion battery production lines.
The “SOLiDIFY” consortium, composed of 14 European research institutes and partners, developed a battery with a pouch cell with an energy density of 1,070 Wh/L, compared to 800 Wh/L in standard lithium-ion batteries
Geotab, an automotive telematics company, is using its in-depth access to EV data to track battery health. And its new study of 10,000 electric cars shows that their battery packs could outlast the vehicles themselves
With five years of data, the company recently released a new study that shows the average degradation per year is actually 1.8%. The company believes that it could translate to EV batteries lasting 20 years.
PSR Analysis: When EVs first appeared, there was a lot of talk about needing to replace the batteries after five years. That soon became 10, 15 and now 20 years, and so proving many ICE doubter wrong. Battery replacement need not be a concern when buying an EV. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
China plans to introduce restrictions on antimony exports, a move that could lead to another flashpoint with the West over control of critical minerals. Antimony is used in lead-acid batteries, as well as in solar panels and flame retardant applications. The US Department of the Interior has designated it a critical mineral. It also is essential for armor-piercing ammunition, infrared sensors and precision optics.
Analysts estimate the market was already facing a 10,000-ton shortfall before China’s restrictions. The US is critically dependent on China for antimony. It consumed 22,000 tons of antimony products in 2023. Domestic production amounted to just 4,000 tons. This mostly came from antimonial lead recovered from used lead-acid batteries
PSR Analysis: There are a lot of minerals that are now being brought into sharp focus as the US looks at its critical minerals and finds that it is more reliant on other nations than previously thought. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
A spinoff from CalTech called Sienza Energy has come up with a new silicon EV battery that does away with cobalt. The secret is a nanoscale structure that resembles a plastic badminton birdie but delivers the triple threat of cost, performance, and safety
Conventional lithium-ion batteries deploy millions of micron-sized particles in their electrodes. In contrast, the Sienza EV battery boots the scale into nano-territory with billions of structures, resulting in a surface area 100 times that of conventional batteries. In addition to more efficient heat dissipation, the expanded surface area is a key factor in the improved performance of the new batter
PSR Analysis: As a mineral, cobalt has some dark undertones with much concern being raised about the use of child labor in its mining, and since its cost is high, any move away from cobalt is appreciated. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have developed a super-ionic material based on potassium silicate, a compound extracted from ordinary rocks. This innovation could potentially revolutionize the way we power electric cars.
Potassium silicate, the key material in this new battery technology, is abundantly available in the earth’s crust. Potassium silicate is also resilient to air and moisture, allowing it to be easily integrated into batteries as a thin layer without the need for expensive protective measures.
PSR Analysis: We continue to see many new innovations in battery technology which show a lot of promise. This one has the potential to be safer and cheaper, but we are far from commercialization so this innovation is a long way off. PSR
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
Zeekr, an electric vehicle (EV) maker within the Geely Auto group, has integrated its self-developed fast-charging battery technology, based on lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) chemistry, into its latest vehicles
According to the company, the 75 kWh battery pack supports ‘5.5C ultra-fast charging,’ enabling vehicles to charge from 10% to 80% in just 10.5 minutes using 800V charging at Zeekr’s proprietary stations.
PSR Analysis: Until this, all Lithium -ion batteries using NMC cathodes were faster than LFP batteries. This reverses that and means that this ultra fast charging together with safer LFP chemistry could eventually replace standard NMC battery chemistries
Guy Youngs is Forecast & Adoption Lead at Power Systems Research
