Battery Technology China Brings the Next Battery Generation to Life

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In China, the "next generation of batteries" is currently making the leap from development labs into industry. The manufacturer EVE Energy has opened a factory for the mass production of solid-state batteries in Chengdu, as reported by the automotive portal Gasgoo. The factory initially covers an area of 11,000 square meters (~118,400 Square Feet), with plans for continuous expansion.

500,000 batteries per year will roll off the production line there once construction is fully completed in two phases. This is expected to happen by the end of next year, EVE Energy announced. Then, an annual capacity of 100 megawatts is set to be produced in Sichuan. In a manner typical for China, the company is pursuing a dual approach of incremental innovations that are very quickly accompanied by scaling in manufacturing. He himself calls it "scientifically based design and experimenting in large quantities," explained CEO Liu Jincheng at the factory's inauguration.

60-Ah Batteries in Series Production Starting at the End of the Year

This parallel advance and commercial production are reflected in the rapid "ramp-up" of battery models planned in Chengdu. From now on, the "Longquan No. 2" will be produced. With a capacity of 10 Ah, an energy density of 300 Wh/kg, and 700 Wh/L, this fully solid-state battery is intended, among other things, for use in air taxis and humanoid robots. EVE Energy recently entered into a collaboration with Vbot in the field of robotics, so there is no need to worry about demand.

From the end of this year, EVE Energy plans to produce solid-state batteries with 60 Ah in Chengdu, and by the end of next year, even those with 100 Ah in series production. The production line also serves as a test laboratory.

Soon Standard Ranges of 1,000 Kilometers (~621 Miles)?

Solid-state cells function like conventional lithium-ion cells with the familiar trio of anode, cathode, and electrolyte. However, instead of a liquid, they have a solid electrolyte layer. This makes them not only significantly more powerful, as ions feel more comfortable in this environment, but also virtually non-flammable, making them much safer for use in electromobility compared to the currently widespread liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion batteries.

Experts predict that the scaling of mass production, combined with rapidly falling prices for this new battery type, will give a significant boost to electrification in road traffic as well as emerging industries such as China's promoted "low-altitude economy" with air taxis and delivery drones.

This could mean that ranges of more than 1,000 kilometers per charge may soon become standard for electric cars, even as car batteries become lighter and more compact. Globally, not only battery manufacturers but also car manufacturers are engaged in a kind of global race in the research and development of solid-state batteries.

In China, where systematically government-supported battery research meets a dynamic environment shaped by the e-car and hybrid boom on the streets, a true explosion of data centers for AI applications, and rapidly growing supply chains in areas such as robotics or storage for renewable energy, a great deal is currently happening.

Automakers are almost all investing in the development of solid-state batteries, often also in manufacturers of solid-state batteries. Farasis Energy, which is supported by Mercedes-Benz among others, is currently building a pilot facility for the production of sulfide-based solid-state cells. The company's prototypes currently have target values of 400–500 Wh/kg. A 60-Ah sulfide solid-state cell is expected to be delivered in small series to strategic customers starting at the end of this year, Farasis hopes.

The same applies to EVE Energy's competitors. All major battery manufacturers in China are participating in the race. SVOLT and CATL have already announced new cell concepts, but these are still primarily focused on semi-solid systems. True solid-state cells with 100 percent solid electrolytes are still lacking there and are expected by insiders only next year.

When it comes to applications, automakers in China are already investing significant amounts of money in research and development. They are testing solid-state batteries in their vehicles and preparing to install them as standard in their electric cars and plug-in hybrids.

The Chinese electric brand GAC Aion has announced that starting next year, it plans to mass-produce the first models with fully solid-state batteries — no longer just the hybrid, semi-liquid type often referred to as "solid-state" in China. The first car to be sold with all-solid-state batteries and ranges of over 1,000 kilometers (~621 Miles) will be the GAC "Hyper," according to the automaker in Guangzhou.

Technical Hurdles

Despite all these advancements, some technical hurdles are still slowing down the introduction of the new technology. Manufacturing is complex and requires a level of precision otherwise known almost exclusively from the semiconductor industry.

Many solid-state materials tend to develop micro-cracks during temperature fluctuations, are sensitive to moisture, and require complex handling. The interfaces between the solid electrolyte and electrodes are particularly critical. A single poor contact can already lead to very high internal resistance and performance drops.

In addition, there are currently high material and production costs. However, this last problem is likely to disappear quickly, as experience shows, once mass production begins in more and more factories. (se)