The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
Ford, BMW backed solid-state battery startup begins pilot Metal Tech News – June 8, 2022
Solid Power's initial solid-state lithium cell design for electric vehicle batteries includes 40 double-sided cathodes and 41 anodes containing more than 50% silicon.
An automated stacking machine at Solid Power's pilot plant for producing EV-scale solid-state lithium battery cells.
With the ability to charge faster, store more energy, and be less likely to catch fire than their liquid lithium-ion battery counterparts, solid-state lithium batteries are considered by many in the automotive industry as the Holy Grail of the electric vehicle revolution. With the June 6 announcement that Solid Power Inc. has completed a pilot production line, Ford Motor Company and BMW Group are one step closer to realizing their vision of producing longer-range, lower-cost, and safer EVs with solid-state batteries inside.
Fundamentally, solid-state batteries work like regular lithium-ion batteries, except with a solid electrolyte in place of the liquid. Solidifying the electrolyte increases the thermal stability and energy density of these next-generation batteries. Solid-state batteries, however, have thus far suffered from two drawbacks – they do not last as long and are more expensive to manufacture than traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Realizing that being on the leading edge of a solid-state battery technology that overcomes the lifespan and price hurdles could give them an advantage as the transition to electric mobility unfolds, Ford and BMW have invested heavily in Solid Power, including being the primary contributors to a $130-million financing completed by the Colorado-based solid-state battery startup in 2021.
"BMW and Ford now share leading positions in the race for solid-state battery-powered electric vehicles," Solid Power CEO Doug Campbell said at the time. "Solid Power now plans to begin producing automotive-scale batteries on the company's pilot production line in early 2022 as a result of our partners' continued commitment to Solid Power's commercialization efforts."
This now complete pilot production line, which the company has dubbed the "EV cell pilot line," is designed to produce EV-scale solid-state cells for internal testing by Solid Power and then delivery to BMW and Ford for automotive qualification testing, which is slated to begin before the end of the year.
"Solid Power is encouraged by taking this next step on its automotive qualification roadmap," said Campbell. "The installation of this EV cell pilot line will allow us to produce EV-scale cells suitable for initiating the formal automotive qualification process."
Solid Power says the EV cell pilot line is designed to produce large-format sulfide-based cells in a manner that mimics existing traditional lithium-ion battery production processes. When running at full capacity, the pilot plant is expected to produce roughly 15,000 cells per year, which will provide Ford and BMW with samples to test in EVs.
While the solid electrolyte that sets Solid Power cells apart is a closely guarded secret, the company has revealed that it is a sulfide. The solid-state battery pioneer also said it uses more than 50% active silicon instead of graphite in the anode.
The company says these solid-state cells with silicon anode material have been designed for increased energy density, which translates to longer driving ranges and less range anxiety – a key barrier to mass EV adoption.
Solid Power also claims that its batteries can potentially charge from 10 to 90% in under 15 minutes at their fastest speeds – enough time for vacationers to grab some snacks and stretch their legs on long road trips.
Now the Colorado-based innovator must show that it can deliver this faster charging, more energy-dense, and safer battery tech at scale, and at a cost where the benefits to automakers outweigh the risks.
"With the EV cell pilot line now installed, our next big challenge is commencing production at scale and building cells that meet the requirements necessary for us to enter into automotive qualification later this year," said Derek Johnson, chief operating officer at Solid Power.
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