New Solid-State Battery Could Power 500,000 km Electric Journey

Industrializing solid-state batteries (SSB) is crucial in advancing energy storage technologies. These batteries hold immense promise in addressing the limitations of traditional lithium-ion batteries, offering higher energy density, improved safety, and longer cycle life. As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage continues to rise, there is an urgent need to enhance the performance and efficiency of energy storage systems.

With their solid electrolyte design, SSBs eliminate the risk of thermal runaway and enhance overall safety. Industrializing this technology is essential to scale up production, reduce costs, and make these batteries commercially viable on a large scale. The transition to SSBs is poised to revolutionize various industries, from transportation to grid storage, fostering a more sustainable and efficient energy landscape.

An American company, QuantumScape, is among the many firms dedicated to industrializing SSBs. Recently, the company reached a significant milestone, which PowerCo SE, the battery company of the Volkswagen Group, has now confirmed. These results initially surfaced in QuantumScape's Q3 2023 shareholder letter. However, it is noteworthy that this is the first instance in which Volkswagen has been explicitly identified as the potential customer responsible for conducting the tests. According to PowerCo, the battery tests carried out for several months in their laboratories of PowerCo SE by QuantumScape achieved more than 1,000 charging cycles with still more than 95 percent capacity. Depending on the model, an electric car could drive more than 500,000 kilometers without any noticeable loss of range. The tested solid-state cell consists of 24 layers and thus already corresponds to the planned series cell.

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Commenting on the test results, Jagdeep Singh, Founder & CEO of QuantumScape, said: “These results from the Volkswagen Group’s PowerCo testing make clear that QuantumScape’s anodeless solid-state lithium-metal cells are capable of exceptional performance. While we have more work to do to bring this technology to market, we are not aware of any other automotive-format lithium-metal battery that has shown such high discharge energy retention over a comparable cycle count under similar conditions. We’re excited to be working closely with the Volkswagen Group and PowerCo to industrialize this technology and bring it to market as quickly as possible.”

The industrialization of SSBs is pivotal for advancing energy storage technologies. Optimizing energy storage efficiency is urgent with the rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage. QuantumScape's recent milestone, confirmed by PowerCo SE, signifies a breakthrough in SSB technology. These results open the door for a future where SSBs redefine sustainable transportation and energy storage globally, emphasizing the deep impact of innovative technology on shaping a more efficient and environmentally conscious energy landscape.

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