"Compared to current liquid batteries, solid-state batteries offer significant advantages in terms of safety and energy density, and they hold the potential to address two major challenges for electric vehicles—range and safety.
Source: Science and Technology Daily
"Compared to current liquid batteries, solid-state batteries offer significant advantages in terms of safety and energy density, and they hold the potential to address two major challenges for electric vehicles—range and safety. Solid-state batteries are expected to be a key focus in the global competition for power batteries in the 'second phase' of the industry," experts stated at the 2nd China Solid-State Battery Innovation and Development Summit Forum. However, they also noted that the commercialization of solid-state batteries still faces challenges in terms of technology, processes, and costs. Looking at the current global progress in solid-state battery development, mass production technology is not yet mature, but small-scale production is expected to begin around 2027.
The forum, focused on the theme "Innovation in Solid-State Battery Materials and Upgrades to R&D Platforms," explored breakthroughs and challenges in the development of solid-state batteries.
Academician Ouyang Minggao from the Chinese Academy of Sciences emphasized that the focus should be on a technical approach that uses sulfide-based electrolytes in combination with high-nickel ternary cathodes and silicon-carbon anodes. The target performance goals for solid-state batteries are an energy density of 400 Wh/kg and a cycle life of over 1,000 cycles. The aim is to achieve small-scale production for passenger vehicles by 2027, with large-scale production expected by 2030. To reach these goals, a unified materials supply chain across the industry needs to be established. Ouyang also shared updates on his team’s progress in developing sulfide-based solid-state electrolytes, high-nickel ternary composite cathodes, and silicon-carbon composite anodes.
Of particular note, Ouyang’s team has collaborated with over 30 companies in the industry to research and optimize large-scale models for solid-state batteries in specific fields. They are building a shared R&D public service platform for the entire industry, exploring new research paradigms, and incorporating cutting-edge AI technologies into the R&D and commercialization process of solid-state batteries.
Wang De Ping, Chief Scientist at China FAW Group Corporation, mentioned that after years of development, solid-state batteries have overcome key technological hurdles and are currently in the prototype stage. He predicts that within the next two to three years, solid-state batteries with an energy density of 400 Wh/kg will be ready for small-scale applications in vehicles. Wang emphasized the need to accelerate the development of industry standards and to continue driving breakthroughs in key technologies and cross-disciplinary engineering to maintain China’s leadership in the power battery sector.
Sun Huajun, Chief Technology Officer at BYD Lithium Battery Co., Ltd., pointed out that the global development of solid-state batteries is progressing rapidly. Key areas of focus include material innovation, interface optimization, safety improvements, and cost control. He suggested that industry progress should be driven through collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions. Currently, BYD has started feasibility verification for the industrialization of solid-state batteries, focusing on breakthroughs in key materials, cell system development, and production line construction. The company plans to begin small-scale vehicle demonstration applications around 2027 and aims for large-scale mass production by 2030.