In the blink of an eye, electric vehicles have begun to take the global automotive market by storm. Over the past few years, electric vehicle sales have skyrocketed, accounting for a significant share of the overall automotive market. However, despite the excellent performance of electric vehicles in many aspects, they still cannot completely replace traditional combustion vehicles, mainly limited to some shortcomings in the battery.
Today, a breakthrough technological advancement is changing the future of electric vehicles – solid-state batteries. This new battery technology not only significantly increases the range, but also significantly reduces the charging time and greatly enhances the safety of the battery.
After the team of Chen Jun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed a high-energy-density solid-state battery of 400 watt-hours/kg, solid-state battery technology completely rewrote the development pattern of electric vehicles. This innovative breakthrough undoubtedly brings unprecedented opportunities to the electric vehicle industry.
In this article, we'll take a deep dive into how solid-state battery technology is reshaping the future of electric vehicles and analyze its far-reaching implications for the automotive industry as a whole. From the evolution of battery technology, to the layout strategy of vehicle manufacturers, to the reshuffle and reorganization of the industrial chain, they will all be displayed in front of readers. Let's witness this battery revolution and discuss the new blueprint for the electric vehicle industry.
1. Bottlenecks and breakthroughs in battery technology
In order to truly realize the full replacement of electric vehicles with fuel vehicles, the progress of battery technology is undoubtedly the key. For a long time, the bottleneck of battery technology has been restricting the further development of electric vehicles. But just recently, a breakthrough in solid-state battery technology has finally breathed new life into electric vehicles.
(1) Limitations of liquid lithium batteries
Current mainstream electric vehicles use lithium-ion battery technology, which uses the intercalation and ejection reaction of lithium ions between the positive and negative electrodes to store and release electrical energy. Compared to traditional lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries have a higher energy density and power density, allowing electric vehicles to make great strides in range and acceleration performance.
However, there are still some key drawbacks and limitations in lithium battery technology:
Security issues. Lithium batteries use flammable liquid electrolytes, which are prone to spontaneous combustion and explosion under extreme conditions, which brings hidden dangers to driving safety. Frequent spontaneous battery combustion accidents have also seriously affected consumer confidence in electric vehicles.
Energy density bottlenecks. Although the energy density of lithium batteries has been greatly improved, it is close to the limit of the material itself in order to make further breakthroughs. Dramatically increasing the range is still a challenge.
Poor low-temperature performance. Lithium batteries are prone to problems such as reduced charging efficiency and power loss in low temperature environments, which seriously restricts the use of electric vehicles in cold regions.
Long charging time. At present, the mainstream fast charging technology cannot shorten the charging time of lithium batteries to the same convenience as refueling, which has become a major obstacle for ordinary consumers to accept electric vehicles.
In general, although lithium battery technology has made rapid progress in the past decade or so, its inherent limitations make it difficult for electric vehicles to completely win the favor of consumers, so as to completely replace traditional fuel vehicles.
(2) A revolutionary breakthrough in solid-state batteries
In contrast, solid-state batteries are a completely new battery technology that uses solid-state electrolyte materials instead of liquid electrolytes. This innovative design enables solid-state batteries to exhibit excellent performance in many aspects:
Dramatically improve security. The solid-state electrolyte is non-flammable, and even under harsh conditions such as overcharge and short circuit, it will not spontaneously ignite and explode, which greatly improves the safety of electric vehicles.
The energy density has been greatly improved. The 400 Wh/kg solid-state battery developed by the team of Chen Jun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has increased the energy density of the battery to an unprecedented height, which means that the range of electric vehicles is expected to exceed 1,000 kilometers.
Excellent low-temperature performance. Solid-state batteries can still work normally in extremely low temperatures of minus 70 degrees, which greatly enhances the applicability of electric vehicles in cold regions.
Charging speed has been greatly improved. Solid-state batteries not only charge faster by themselves, but can also be used with more powerful charging equipment to achieve 5-10 minutes of extremely fast charging, completely subverting the charging experience of traditional electric vehicles.
It can be said that the many technical advantages of solid-state batteries just make up for the shortcomings of liquid lithium batteries. This new battery technology will undoubtedly bring unprecedented changes to electric vehicles.
(3) The development process of solid-state battery technology
The research and development of solid-state battery technology can be traced back to the 70s of the last century. At that time, scientists began to explore the possibility of solid-state electrolytes, hoping to replace traditional liquid electrolytes to improve the safety of batteries.
In the 80s of the 20th century, the Japanese government and enterprises began to invest in the research and development of solid-state batteries on a large scale. In the decades since, there have been some breakthroughs in this technology, such as Sanyo Electric's first mass-produced solid-state lithium-ion battery in 1990 and Sony's solid-state lithium-ion battery sample in 2010.
But it's only in recent years that solid-state battery technology has really ushered in significant advances.
In 2019, Toyota announced the development of a solid-state battery sample with an energy density of 1000 Wh/L, an achievement that attracted widespread attention in the industry.
In March 2023, Academician Chen Jun revealed that their team is expected to achieve a breakthrough in solid-state battery technology of 600 Wh/kg in the next 1-2 years. This means that in the future, electric vehicles are expected to have a range of more than 1,000 km.
It can be said that solid-state battery technology has made remarkable progress in the past few years, marking a new stage of development for battery technology. This battery revolution will have a profound impact on the future direction of the entire automotive industry.
2. The transformation of the automobile industry caused by solid-state batteries
With the continuous breakthrough of solid-state battery technology, its application prospect in the field of electric vehicles is highly anticipated. This new battery technology will completely reshape the future pattern of the entire automotive industry.
(1) The reshuffle of the electric vehicle pattern
The emergence of solid-state batteries will completely change the competitive landscape of the current electric vehicle market.
The cruising range has been greatly improved
The significant increase in the energy density of solid-state batteries will surely promote a leap in the range of electric vehicles. In the future, electric vehicles equipped with 600 Wh/kg solid-state batteries are expected to have a range of more than 1,000 kilometers, which is completely comparable to the long-distance range performance of fuel vehicles. This will significantly reduce consumer concerns about EV range anxiety.
Charging time is drastically reduced
Solid-state batteries have faster charging speeds, and with more powerful charging equipment, the charging time of electric vehicles is expected to be shortened to 5-10 minutes, which is comparable to the convenience of refueling gasoline vehicles. This will greatly improve the car experience of consumers and solve the pain point of "slow charging" of electric vehicles.
Security has been greatly improved
Solid-state batteries use a non-flammable solid-state electrolyte, which will not cause spontaneous combustion and explosion even under harsh conditions such as overcharge and short circuit. This will greatly enhance consumer confidence in the safety of electric vehicles, and is expected to eliminate the frequent spontaneous combustion accidents of batteries in the current market.
Applicability has been greatly improved
The ability of solid-state batteries to operate in extremely low temperature environments will greatly enhance the suitability of electric vehicles in cold regions. At the same time, the increase in cruising range and charging speed will also make electric vehicles more suitable for long-distance travel.
It can be said that the many technical advantages of solid-state batteries will inevitably lead to a major reshuffle in the market pattern of electric vehicles. In the future, electric vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries will be significantly ahead of competitors that still use traditional lithium batteries. This will bring unprecedented changes to the entire electric vehicle industry.
(2) Reshaping the industrial chain pattern
The breakthrough of solid-state battery technology will not only reshape the electric vehicle market, but also trigger profound changes in the entire automotive industry chain.
The reshuffle of the power battery industry
The emergence of solid-state batteries will force power battery companies to accelerate technology iteration. If traditional lithium battery manufacturers cannot enter the field of solid-state batteries in time, they are likely to be eliminated from the market. Enterprises that master the core technology of solid-state batteries are expected to dominate the pattern of the power battery industry in the future.
A new pattern for OEMs
For OEMs, models that can be the first to be equipped with solid-state batteries will surely take the lead in the future electric vehicle market. Therefore, major car companies have stepped up the research and development and application of solid-state battery technology. In the future, car companies that have mastered solid-state battery technology will become leaders in the electric vehicle market.
Integration of the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain
The rise of solid-state batteries will promote the deep integration of the entire industry chain. Battery materials, battery packs, vehicle manufacturing and other links will face a reshuffle. In order to maintain technological and cost advantages, upstream and downstream enterprises in the industrial chain will strengthen strategic cooperation and form a closer industrial ecology.
In general, the breakthrough of solid-state battery technology will inevitably lead to a comprehensive reshaping of the automotive industry chain. In the future, companies that master core technologies will stand out and become industry leaders, while those companies that cannot keep up with the pace of technological progress are likely to be eliminated from the market.
(iii) Favourable policy environment
In addition to technological advances, changes in the policy environment will also pave the way for the application of solid-state batteries.
Driven by the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality
In the context of climate change, governments around the world have introduced relevant policies to vigorously support the development of new energy vehicles. Solid-state batteries, as the core technology of electric vehicles, will undoubtedly benefit from this background.
The subsidy policy continues to be tilted
At present, the subsidy policy for the purchase of new energy vehicles in mainland China is still being implemented and will be increased in 2023. This policy orientation will help electric vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries to gain more market favor.
Follow-up of infrastructure construction
With the widespread application of solid-state batteries in electric vehicles, the construction of charging infrastructure will also follow accordingly. In the future, the coverage and charging speed of fast charging piles will be greatly improved, further improving the experience of electric vehicles.
It can be said that with the strong support of the policy environment, the application prospect of solid-state battery technology will be broader. This will also further accelerate the process of replacing fuel vehicles with electric vehicles.
3. The future of electric vehicles led by solid-state batteries
The breakthrough in solid-state battery technology will surely lead the electric vehicle industry into a new stage of development. In this change, electric vehicles will surpass traditional fuel vehicles in many aspects and become the protagonist of the future market.
(1) The overall improvement of the performance of electric vehicles
The technical advantages of solid-state batteries will promote the comprehensive improvement of electric vehicles in several key performance indicators:
The cruising range has been greatly increased
With the continuous improvement of energy density, the cruising range of electric vehicles is expected to exceed 1,000 kilometers in the future, which is completely comparable to the long-distance cruising performance of fuel vehicles. This will significantly reduce consumer concerns about EV range anxiety.
Charging time is drastically reduced
Solid-state batteries are expected to shorten the charging time to 5-10 minutes, which is comparable to the convenience of refueling gasoline vehicles. This will greatly improve the car experience for consumers.
Security has been greatly improved
Solid-state batteries use a non-flammable solid-state electrolyte, which will not cause spontaneous combustion and explosion even under harsh conditions such as overcharge and short circuit. This will greatly enhance consumer confidence in the safety of electric vehicles.
Dramatically improved low-temperature performance
The ability of solid-state batteries to operate in extremely low temperature environments will greatly enhance the suitability of electric vehicles in cold regions.
It can be said that the breakthrough of solid-state battery technology will enable electric vehicles to surpass fuel vehicles in all aspects of performance, and truly replace traditional vehicles