Will solid-state batteries meet industry demand?

Experts across the world believe that electric vehicles will sooner or later become the mainstream. They find it a more sustainable form of transport. But on what kind of batteries will these future electric vehicles run? Car makers are preferring the solid state-batteries over the older lithium-ion batteries. Let us find out the difference between them

For years now, electric vehicles have been powered by lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are similar to the ones used in your mobile phones, laptops and other consumer electronics. They use a liquid electrolyte, which makes them not only heavy, but also vulnerable to instability at high temperatures.

A lithium-ion battery uses liquid electrolyte solution, which makes it flammable and raises safety concerns. While a solid-state battery uses solid electrolyte. It has more energy density and is safer due to a lack of flammable liquid in it. Solid-state batteries could prove to be a game-changer for EVs and accelerate the shift away from fossil-fuel-powered personal vehicles. 

Solid-state batteries are not a new technology. They have been in use for years in small devices such as smart watches and pacemakers. It is their use in a heavy-duty application like automobiles that is the new element here.  

But the road leading to green mobility seems to be bumpy. So far, companies have built solid-state li-ion battery cells inside labs and one at a time.  They are far from being manufactured at large-scale. Currently, a solid-state cell costs about eight times more to make than a liquid li-ion battery.

Carmakers will also have to bring the mileage of electric vehicles on par with the gasoline-run vehicles. For that the companies and government will have to invest heavily in research and development of better solid-state batteries.

But the good news is that more and more companies are rushing to get a slice of the electric pie. Companies like Tesla, Ford, Ola and BMW have invested heavily to bring its cost down and make it more feasible. 

Watch Video

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

We, however, have a request.

As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.

Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.

Digital Editor