The automotive industry is on the brink of a major transformation with the introduction of solid-state battery technology, a breakthrough that has been in development for over four decades.
This advancement promises to enhance electric vehicles by offering higher energy density, faster charging times, and improved safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. As automakers continue refining this technology, its potential to revolutionize the industry grows, making it a highly anticipated development in the coming years.
However, not everyone is convinced that solid-state batteries will become the dominant technology. Former Tesla engineer Gene Berdichevsky has raised concerns about technical challenges that may be difficult to overcome, suggesting that lithium-ion batteries will continue to lead the market.
Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has remained silent on solid-state batteries and has instead focused on the 4680 battery technology, which significantly improves energy storage while reducing costs.
This strategic move indicates that, despite the hype around solid-state batteries, lithium-ion innovations may still shape the future of electric vehicles.
1. Mercedes-Benz: Pioneering the Solid-State Revolution
Mercedes-Benz has been at the forefront of exploring solid-state battery technology. With an ambitious goal to electrify its entire lineup by 2030, the company is heavily investing in research and development to bring this cutting-edge battery technology to market.
One of the most significant steps in this pursuit is its partnership with ProLogium, a Taiwanese energy innovation firm specializing in solid-state batteries. Mercedes-Benz has committed a substantial double-digit million-euro investment into ProLogium’s research and development initiatives.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the commercial viability of solid-state batteries, which promise superior energy density, faster charging times, and improved safety compared to traditional lithium-ion alternatives.
In addition to its partnership with ProLogium, Mercedes-Benz is investing in building a robust supply chain for solid-state battery production. The German automaker believes that the enhanced performance and longevity of solid-state batteries will be critical in making electric vehicles (EVs) more practical and appealing to consumers.
As advancements continue, Mercedes-Benz aims to integrate these batteries into its future electric models, pushing the industry closer to a solid-state-powered future.
2. Volkswagen’s Commitment to Solid-State Innovation
Volkswagen is another automotive giant leading the charge in solid-state battery technology. The company has entered a $300 million partnership with QuantumScape, a startup specializing in solid-state batteries.
This collaboration aims to develop electric vehicles that leverage solid-state batteries by 2024. According to QuantumScape, their solid-state batteries will offer 50% more energy density than current lithium-ion batteries while enabling recharge times of just 15 minutes.
Volkswagen’s investment in QuantumScape came in two phases: an initial $100 million investment in 2018, followed by an additional $200 million in 2020. This commitment took Volkswagen’s ownership stake in QuantumScape to 20%, signaling the automaker’s confidence in the technology’s potential.
As the world’s largest automaker, Volkswagen’s investment in solid-state batteries is a significant step toward making EVs more reliable, efficient, and capable of longer driving ranges.
3. Toyota’s Extensive Research into Solid-State Batteries
Toyota is heavily investing in solid-state battery technology, with plans to integrate this breakthrough into its electric vehicles by the mid-2020s.
The automaker is developing these batteries in collaboration with Prime Planet Energy & Solutions Inc., a joint venture with Panasonic. In addition to solid-state batteries, Toyota is also researching metal-air batteries, which could provide even greater energy efficiency.
Toyota has already amassed over 1,000 patents related to solid-state battery technology and boasts a dedicated research and development team of 200 experts.
The company claims that its solid-state batteries will be as thin as a notebook, significantly reducing fire risks, improving vehicle range, and allowing for much faster charging times. If successful, Toyota’s efforts could lead to a major breakthrough, doubling the range of current EVs.
4. BMW’s Balanced Approach to Battery Technology
BMW is also making strides in solid-state battery development, partnering with U.S.-based Solid Power to advance this next-generation technology. However, BMW is not abandoning lithium-ion batteries just yet.
The company is simultaneously working on a sixth-generation lithium battery cell, set to debut in 2025, which will increase energy density by 20% and improve both range and charging speed by 30%.
Through its partnership with Solid Power, BMW has acquired an R&D license, enabling it to establish a prototype production line at its Cell Manufacturing Competence Center in Germany. BMW’s immediate goal is to have test-ready solid-state battery cells by the end of 2023, with potential full-scale integration into EVs by the end of the decade.
5. Nissan’s Ambition 2030 Strategy
Nissan is aiming to have production-ready solid-state battery vehicles on the road by 2028. This effort aligns with the company’s long-term vision, known as Nissan Ambition 2030, which prioritizes the adoption of next-generation battery technologies.
Unlike some competitors, Nissan is developing its solid-state batteries in-house and plans to establish a production plant for these batteries by 2025.
According to David Moss, Nissan’s Senior Vice President for Research and Development in Europe, the company’s all-solid-state sodium batteries (ASSBs) could reduce production costs by up to 65%.
Nissan has been actively working on this technology since 2021, with prototype development taking place at its Research Center in Japan. If Nissan succeeds in mass-producing solid-state batteries, it could become the first automaker to launch EVs powered by this innovative technology.
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6. Stellantis and Factorial Energy’s Strategic Partnership
Stellantis, formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the French PSA Group, is also investing in solid-state battery technology. The company has partnered with Factorial Energy to accelerate the commercialization of solid-state batteries. Stellantis aims to have these batteries ready for use in its vehicles by 2026.
Factorial Energy has developed proprietary FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology), which enables safe, high-performance solid-state battery cells.
The company recently secured a Series D round of funding from Stellantis and other investors and is building a state-of-the-art facility for large-scale battery cell production. Stellantis’ investment underscores its commitment to electrification and innovation in the automotive sector.
7. Honda’s Drive Towards Carbon Neutrality
Honda has set a goal to eliminate CO2 emissions from its mobility products by 2050, making its investment in solid-state battery technology a crucial component of its electrification strategy. Honda believes that solid-state batteries could resolve key challenges associated with EVs, including limited range and high production costs.
To accelerate the transition, Honda is developing all-solid-state batteries in-house while also working on mass-production techniques to make these batteries commercially viable. The company plans to launch a demonstration production line in 2024, with mass production expected in the latter half of the decade.
8. Ford’s Multi-Pronged Battery Strategy
Like BMW, Ford has partnered with Solid Power to explore solid-state battery technology. Ford and its battery partner, SK On Co., Ltd., have made multiple investments in Solid Power to speed up development. However, Ford does not expect the technology to be commercially viable before 2030.
In the meantime, Ford is focusing on lithium-ion phosphate batteries, which offer a cost-effective and safe alternative. These batteries serve as an interim solution while the company continues to refine solid-state battery technology.
9. General Motors’ Ambitious EV Investments
General Motors (GM) is also working on solid-state battery technology, as evidenced by its $7 billion investment in four different factories, two of which will focus on EV production.
GM is also establishing a new supply chain for EV batteries, forming partnerships with strategic suppliers, including POSCO, a company that has been researching solid-state technology since 2018.
GM has also launched the Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center in Michigan, a facility dedicated to advancing lithium-metal, silicon, and solid-state battery technologies. This center will enable GM to quickly prototype large-format battery cells for automotive applications.
10. Porsche’s Electric 911 and Solid-State Batteries
Porsche is exploring the use of solid-state batteries for its upcoming all-electric version of the legendary 911. The German automaker is rumored to be working with QuantumScape, the same company that Volkswagen has partnered with, to develop high-performance solid-state batteries.
After the success of the Porsche Taycan, which accounted for 14% of Porsche’s global sales in 2021, the company is aggressively moving toward electrification. Porsche plans to have 80% of its lineup electrified by 2030, and solid-state battery technology could be a crucial factor in achieving this goal.
As major automakers continue to invest in solid-state battery technology, the future of electric vehicles looks increasingly promising. While technical challenges remain, the potential benefits—including greater energy efficiency, faster charging, and improved safety—make solid-state batteries a compelling innovation.
With continued research and strategic partnerships, the automotive industry is moving closer to a breakthrough that could redefine the EV market for generations to come.
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