Solid State Battery: Future of Electric Cars
Electric cars are becoming more mainstream and will eventually overtake combustion engine cars in the automotive industry. The one aspect of electric cars that are hindering the popularity and uptake of electric vehicles is the range and charge time. Cold weather conditions can affect the batteries’ efficiency to deliver power therefore decreasing the range. Currently, electric cars still take a while to charge fully such as a Tesla Model S takes 6 to 9 hours for a full charge. The long charging time will be difficult for consumers to part with their combustion cars. Several manufacturers such as Toyota, Honda, and Samsung have started developing a new type of battery that has the potential to improve car range and decrease charging time. This new electric battery technology is called Solid-State Battery.
What Are Solid State Batteries and how they work?
Current lithium-ion batteries use a liquid or polymer electrolyte gel in between the cathode and anode. A solid-state battery has a solid electrolyte in between the cathode and anode. Solid-State batteries operate in the same way as conventional battery. Batteries use charged ions to travel through the electrolyte from the anode to the cathode. This leads to a build-up of positive charge in the cathode and attracts electrons from the anode. Electrons can’t travel through the electrolyte therefore have to travel across a circuit and therefore power whatever it is connected to. The opposite happens when charging. And when there are no more ions to flow to the anode the battery is fully charged.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/13/17675376/battery-safety-lithium-ion-solid-state-electrolyte-analysis
Why are Solid State Batteries better than conventional batteries?
Solid-state batteries have a smaller footprint than conventional batteries and can provide two to ten times more energy. This means more power can be compacted in the same space occupied by conventional batteries in an electric car consequently more range and power. By having solid-state batteries being more efficient and a higher energy density, solid-state batteries do not require cooling or any control mechanisms in place. A smaller footprint means less weight on the car chassis. Solid-state drives have a higher lifecycle with an estimated 10-year lifespan compared to a couple of years of a conventional battery.
Why aren’t Solid-State Batteries being used?
The one big problem with solid-state batteries is the manufacturing of the battery. The process to manufacture solid-state batteries can be more complex at a large scale therefore costs of manufacturing are high. Manufacturers are also still trying to find the right chemical compositions to have the right conductivity to deliver enough power for electric vehicles.
Summary
There is a lot of potential in solid-state batteries not only in electric vehicles but also in electronics. The development of this type of battery will mean batteries in electronics will last longer and hold their charge longer over time. Solid-state batteries will provide a greater opportunity to improve range and charging abilities for electric cars. It has been estimated that solid-state batteries could enter the market by the end of the decade.