When it comes to solid-state batteries, people in the industry are no longer unfamiliar. Today, with the booming wave of electric vehicles, following the large-scale application of liquid lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries have become a hot topic in the industry and are regarded as the next generation of cutting-edge power battery technology. Among them, car manufacturers and battery suppliers have the most positive attitude, being at the forefront of research and development and testing, and even announcing mass production schedules. The most recent example is the Volkswagen Group’s statement not long ago.

　　In order to further clarify the layout and progress of the automotive industry in the field of solid-state batteries, the reporter sorted out relevant information from mainstream companies. Unlike the "Three Countries" competition among China, Japan and South Korea for lithium batteries, the competition for solid-state batteries has taken on a global competitive shape.

　　U.K.

　　Dyson

　　In 2015, British home appliance giant Dyson announced the acquisition of Sakti3, a new solid-state battery startup in Michigan, USA. Sakti3 has been committed to professional R&D and manufacturing of high-performance solid-state lithium-ion batteries.

　　France

　　Bollore

　　Bolloré’s 2,900 electric vehicles Bluecar put into use are equipped with 30kWh metal lithium polymer batteries produced by its subsidiary Batscap. This power battery uses the Li-PEO-LFP material system.

　　Germany

　　public

　　In early August this year, Volkswagen Group CEO Diess said at a press conference in Wolfsburg that its partner QuantumScape is developing technology that can make electric vehicles cheaper and have longer driving range. The two parties plan to do so in the next few years. Years of cooperative production of batteries. It is understood that QuantumScape is a start-up company that received a US$100 million investment from the Volkswagen Group in June this year. Its trial solid-state battery has been tested on electric vehicles. The Volkswagen Group also plans to establish a joint venture with QuantumScape with the goal of establishing a solid-state battery production line by 2025.

　　The Volkswagen Group said that if the newly developed solid-state battery is used, the driving range of the company's e-Golf can be increased from the existing 300 kilometers to about 750 kilometers. “The commercial application of solid-state batteries will be a turning point for electric vehicles,” said Axel Heinrich, head of research and development at the Volkswagen Group. “By combining the Volkswagen Group’s extensive product development experience with QuantumScape’s technology, we We hope to accelerate the commercialization of solid-state batteries and continue to move towards the next generation of zero-emission mobile tools."

　　In September last year, the Volkswagen Group announced its large-scale electric vehicle development plan "Roadmap E", proposing that all Volkswagen Group models will have electric versions by 2030. Once its solid-state batteries are used on a large scale, the Volkswagen Group's electric vehicle plan is bound to get a lot of help.

　　BMW

　　Like all its competitors, BMW is also interested in solid-state batteries. In December last year, BMW announced a new partnership with battery technology company Solid Power. The two parties will jointly develop solid-state battery technology for electric vehicles, including subsequent commercialization processes. BMW hopes that solid-state batteries can bring the performance of electric vehicles to a new level, and plans to put solid-state batteries into production in 2026.

　　Solid Power is a start-up company in Colorado, USA, founded in 2012. Solid Power previously claimed that it has achieved a breakthrough in solid-state battery technology. The company mixed high-capacity metallic lithium anodes in lithium batteries and created a new solid-state battery that has the same power as traditional lithium at the same weight. 2 to 3 times that of the battery. "Since the founding of the company, the Solid Power team has been committed to developing and promoting competitive solid-state batteries. The cooperation with BMW further confirms that solid-state battery innovation will further improve electric vehicles." said Doug Campbell, founder and CEO of Solid Power.

　　Continental

　　In November last year, Elmar Genhardt, CEO of German parts giant Continental, revealed that they were considering increasing investment in the production of innovative batteries. Genhardt added that what Continental wants to invest in is not the lithium-ion batteries currently in use, but a new generation of solid-state battery technology expected to be put into production in 2024 or 2025.

　　Continental previously announced that it plans to invest 300 million euros by 2021 to support the research and development of electric vehicle technology over the next ten years, including new battery technologies. In July this year, Continental announced that it would split into three major segments: powertrain, automobiles and rubber, and form three independent holding companies. Among them, the powertrain company's business includes electric drive, internal combustion engine-related, and battery projects.

　　China

　　SAIC

　　In 2016, Solid Energy, an American materials technology company, announced that it had received Series B strategic investment from China's SAIC Motor.

　　Solid Energy emerged from the Energy Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States. In 2013, Solid Energy received a total of US$4.5 million in Series A investment from VC Xiangfeng Investment, a subsidiary of Temasek in Singapore, and Shanghai Qianyang. At the end of last year, Solid Energy received US$30 million in Series C financing, with unknown funding sources.

　　BYD

　　BYD applied for an all-solid-state lithium-ion battery cathode composite material and solid-state lithium-ion battery invention patent in August 2017. In January this year, BYD stated on its interactive platform that the company was actively promoting the commercialization of solid-state battery projects.

　　Chen Liquan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, once made it clear: "To further improve energy density, all-solid-state lithium batteries must be considered from now on." Chen Qingtai, chairman of the China Electric Vehicles Committee of 100, also believes that from the next development point of view, solid-state batteries should be focused on.

　　Take CATL, which has been in the spotlight recently, as an example. The company has mainly carried out relevant research and development work in the direction of polymer and sulfide-based solid-state batteries. Among them, in terms of polymer solid-state lithium metal batteries, CATL has designed and produced a polymer battery cell with a capacity of 325 mAh, which can be cycled for more than 300 cycles with a capacity retention rate of 82%.

　　However, CATL Chairman Zeng Yuqun admitted that the company has invested in R&D in the field of solid-state batteries for several years and has achieved certain results, but it still takes a long time to commercialize.

　　Ganfeng Lithium Industry

　　In May this year, Ganfeng Lithium Industry stated that it is currently conducting extensive testing of solid-state battery products and has established a R&D center and test production line in Ningbo to accelerate the commercialization of the company's solid-state lithium battery technology. The company's solid-state lithium battery products are currently in the experimental stage and have passed a number of third-party safety tests.

　　universal

　　In September last year, A123 Systems, a subsidiary of Wanxiang, invested in Solid Power. In February this year, Wanxiang announced that A123 Systems had invested in American Ion Materials. The company is a new materials technology company that has developed a special polymer electrolyte that can improve the performance of new solid-state batteries to a whole new level.

　　Qing pottery

　　Qingtao (Kunshan) Energy Development Co., Ltd. (referred to as "Qingtao Development") is a high-tech enterprise invested and founded by a team of Academician Nan Cewen of Tsinghua University that focuses on the development and transformation of top new energy material technologies through "industry-university-research". The company’s official website shows that it has rich technical experience in the development of all-solid-state lithium batteries and has formed a series of proprietary intellectual property technologies. It has now broken through the core technology of all-solid electrolyte material (LLTO, LLZO) production technology, which can be formed through tape casting. , thin film preparation and other methods to prepare all-solid electrolyte membranes to replace the liquid electrolyte materials in traditional lithium batteries. In 2017, Qingtao Development focused on the industrialization of all-solid-state lithium batteries, carried out joint research from multiple dimensions of materials, devices, and equipment, and launched mass-produced all-solid-state lithium batteries with an energy density of 350Wh/kg.

　　South Korea

　　Hyundai Motor

　　Hyundai Motor has also joined the solid-state battery race. In April last year, the Korea Herald revealed that Hyundai Motor was conducting research and development of solid-state batteries through its battery research and development team under its Nanyang Research and Development Center and had reached a certain technical level.

　　In July this year, Hyundai Motor announced its investment in Ionic Materials. It is understood that the company, located in Massachusetts, USA, develops a solid-state alkaline battery, which is cheaper and more stable than lithium-ion batteries. Officials claim that even if a bullet hits the surface of the battery, the battery will still work normally.

　　Ionic Materials is focused on creating an entirely new polymer to replace the liquid electrolyte in today's lithium-ion batteries. According to foreign media reports, researchers at Ionic Materials claim to have made three major breakthroughs. First, they assert that lithium ions move faster in polymers than in conventional liquid electrolytes, which is basically contrary to existing physical understanding. In theory, ions should have less difficulty passing through solids. If this research is true, it will bring major innovations in the field of solid-state batteries. Second, Ionic Materials says its materials operate at voltages up to 5V. Finally, most materials in solid-state battery research operate at temperatures around 60°C, but their materials can operate at room temperature.

　　In addition to Hyundai Motor, Ionic Materials has many “funders”. In February this year, Ionic Materials announced the completion of a $65 million Series C round of financing, with investors including South Korea’s Samsung, Britain’s Dyson and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

　　Samsung SDI, LG Chem

　　In South Korea, Samsung SDI, LG Chem, etc. are accelerating the research and development of solid-state batteries. At both the North American Auto Show last year and this year, Samsung SDI exhibited solid-state batteries. A Samsung SDI executive said last year that solid-state batteries will be produced in about two years, and may first be used in smartphones. After safety is fully tested, they will be used in cars around 2025.

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