In today’s rapidly evolving world, the quest for efficient energy sources is crucial to power our ever-expanding range of devices. For quite some time, lithium-ion batteries have been a significant player in energy storage.
However, a compelling new competitor has emerged: solid-state batteries. Let's compare lithium-ion batteries with solid-state batteries to gain insight into future energy storage technology for electric vehicles (EVs), considering key developments in other chemistry batteries from companies like Samsung and Toyota.
What’s the difference between solid state batteries and lithium-ion batteries?
The primary distinction between solid-state batteries and traditional lithium-ion batteries lies in their electrolyte composition. While lithium-ion batteries use a liquid or gel electrolyte to facilitate the movement of lithium ions between the anode and cathode, solid-state batteries employ a solid electrolyte instead of the liquid.
(Source)
Four major differences between lithium and solid-state batteries:
- Cost: Solid-state batteries are currently more expensive because they are new and not as easy to manufacture in large quantities. In contrast, lithium-ion batteries, which have been around longer, are cheaper to produce.
- Energy storage: Solid-state batteries can store more energy per unit of weight and size than lithium-ion batteries. Currently, lithium-ion batteries store 250 to 300 Wh/kg, while solid-state batteries can store over 500 Wh/kg.
- Distance: Solid-state batteries can store more power, allowing vehicles to travel longer distances on a single charge. However, they take longer to recharge, which may not be preferred by some people.
- Safety: Solid-state batteries are safer because they don't contain the liquid that can cause fires or explosions in lithium-ion batteries.
The evolution of lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are widely used for storing energy, powering a wide range of devices from smartphones to electric vehicles (EVs). They are popular due to their high energy density, long cycle life, and relatively fast recharge capabilities.
To learn more, check out our blog ‘How does a lithium-ion battery work? Exploring technological advancements’.
However, there are drawbacks to Li-ion batteries. The use of liquid electrolytes, typically made of lithium salts in organic solvents, poses risks such as leakage, flammability, and thermal runaway, which can lead to fires or explosions under certain conditions.
Furthermore, the potential for enhancing energy density in Li-ion batteries is constrained by the intrinsic properties of their materials. With the increasing demand for higher-capacity and safer energy storage solutions, researchers and industry stakeholders are actively exploring alternative technologies that can exceed the performance limitations of Li-ion systems.
The emergence of solid-state batteries
Solid-state batteries offer a substantial improvement over traditional Li-ion batteries by replacing liquid electrolytes with solid ones. This shift results in several key benefits, including enhanced safety, as solid electrolytes are non-flammable and significantly reduce the risk of thermal runaway, making them much safer than their Li-ion counterparts.
Learn more about the need for better battery management systems in the battery industry here.
Additionally, solid-state batteries can achieve higher energy densities by using lithium metal anodes instead of the graphite anodes found in Li-ion batteries, potentially doubling energy density and extending the range of electric vehicles or the runtime of portable devices. Moreover, the solid electrolytes are less susceptible to degradation over time, leading to longer lifespans and improved performance over extended use.
Challenges in solid-state battery development
Despite their advantages, solid-state batteries present several engineering challenges. The foremost difficulty lies in the manufacturing process, as producing solid-state electrolytes at scale is more complex because ensuring a solid electrolyte that is both stable and chemically inert while also being a strong conductor of ions between the electrodes remains a significant engineering challenge. In addition, the formation of dendrites—needle-like structures that can cause short circuits—remains a critical issue, particularly when using lithium metal anodes.
Moreover, the current production costs of solid-state batteries are higher compared to Li-ion batteries, which hampers their economic viability for widespread adoption in the near term. However, ongoing advancements in materials science and manufacturing techniques are gradually addressing these challenges.
Industry developments: Samsung and Toyota leading the charge
Top technology companies and automotive manufacturers are making significant investments in solid-state battery technology to overcome current challenges and bring the next generation of batteries to the market.
What Samsung’s latest battery means for the battery industry
Samsung has achieved notable progress in developing solid-state batteries, with a prototype showcasing an impressive range of 800 km for electric vehicles and a lifespan exceeding 1,000 cycles. Their strategy involves using a silver-carbon composite layer as the anode to address dendrite formation issues and enhance battery stability.
Samsung SDI has progressed in developing solid-state batteries, targeting mass production by 2027. The company showcased these advancements at SNE Battery Day 2024, revealing that customer feedback on initial samples has been positive.
These solid-state cells, aimed at premium applications, are designed to deliver ranges between 900 and 1,000 kilometres, offering a 40% higher energy density than current prismatic cells.
“We have delivered samples to customers from the end of last year to the beginning of this year and have received positive feedback,” said Koh Joo-young, Vice President of Samsung SDI, in her presentation at the SNE Battery Day 2024 in Seoul (Source).
Despite the promising feedback, Samsung has yet to disclose specific target values for the gravimetric energy density. However, the enhanced energy density could enable longer ranges or smaller, more cost-effective batteries.
Toyota targets 750-mile range with solid-state EV batteries by 2028
Toyota is also at the forefront of solid-state battery development, with plans to integrate them into their vehicles by the mid-2020s. Toyota's solid-state battery is expected to offer faster charging times and extended ranges compared to current Li-ion technology. Their focus is on optimising the solid electrolyte and ensuring its cost-effective mass production.
Toyota is accelerating its solid-state battery development for electric vehicles (EVs), targeting production by 2027-2028. The company aims to achieve a 750-mile range and a rapid 10-minute charging time with these batteries. Toyota's solid-state batteries promise a higher energy density, improved safety, and reduced charging times compared to current lithium-ion technologies.
Toyota plans to introduce these batteries first in hybrids before transitioning to fully electric vehicles. The company believes solid-state technology is key to addressing range anxiety and enhancing EV adoption globally.
The future of energy storage and battery development
As solid-state battery technology advances, it holds the potential to revolutionise energy storage across various industries. Its superior energy density, enhanced safety, and extended lifespan position it as a compelling alternative to Li-ion batteries.
However, the shift will be gradual, with Li-ion batteries remaining prevalent due to ongoing advancements in battery management systems and material enhancements.
In the long term, overcoming manufacturing challenges and achieving economies of scale could establish solid-state batteries as the industry standard. Leading companies like Samsung and Toyota are pioneering this transformation, pushing the boundaries of innovation.
For engineers, this evolution presents both a complex challenge and a significant opportunity. The successful commercialisation of solid-state batteries will require a sophisticated understanding of materials science, electrochemistry, and precision manufacturing, driving advancements across multiple engineering disciplines.
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