As solid-state batteries are set to take a 66% share of the market within the next ten years, Quadrant Transport takes a closer look at the differences between solid-state and liquid and the benefit solid-state brings to EVs.
Solid-state batteries are making headlines as the next important thing for electric vehicles, with IDTechEx predicting the car plug-in market will take the largest share of solid-state battery production (66%) in 2031.
The technology is also likely to be a problem-solving application for other markets including consumer electronics such as smartphone and tablet applications, along with wearables and drones.
The report reveals that the solid-state battery market is set to reach over $8 billion by 2031.
Quadrant Transport spoke to Dr Xiaoxi He, Principal Technology Analyst at IDTechEx to discuss this growth in solid-state and the benefits it can bring in the push for net-zero in the transport sector.
How do solid-state differ from liquid and what are the benefits?
A solid-state battery is an energy storage system that is rechargeable. This is like the overall structure of the most popular form of battery, lithium-ion. The major difference between the two is the type of electrolyte inside the battery.
Lithium-ion batteries have a liquid electrolyte while – as suggested by the name – a solid-state has a solid one. The major benefit of a solid-state battery is they are lighter, have more energy density and offer a larger range while recharging at a fraction of the time.
Despite all these benefits for the consumers and manufacturers within the transport sector, Dr He explained how above all, safety improvements are the biggest development.
She told Quadrant Transport: “The biggest value improvement is the better safety at the cell level. But on the other hand, there are also other really important questions people need to take into consideration.”
Despite the optimism, rollout may take time to pick up
One of the biggest considerations is what electrolyte is being used in the battery due to differing levels of oxide electrolyte.
“So, if people don’t reduce the thickness, then the battery density will become too high” added, Dr He. That means if you’d have to replace the current electrodes which could course supply chain issues down if different electrolytes are used at different periods.
With these considerations in mind, it puts the Ev market in a key position to improve the acceptance of electric vehicles with the public. An earlier Quadrant investigation found that a range of vehicles is a key blockade to buying an EV.
Dr He acknowledged this and told Quadrant Transport: “The industry has the chance to get higher energy density, and this will become another value proposition for the uptake of EV’s.”
Considering the really huge electric vehicle market, and push by different regulations and policies of various countries, then there could be a really large uptake
Despite the optimism, however, there are issues in the deployment and commercialisation process in solid-state battery production.
“For electric vehicle rollout, initially the takeover rate will be small. However, considering the really huge electric vehicle market, and push by different regulations and policies of various countries, then there could be a really large uptake.”
As battery technology improves year on year, solid-state batteries have really boosted the positivity surrounding EVs across the transport sector.
Not only could solid-state batteries help us transition from ICE vehicles but also help the rail sector become further decarbonised.