Strategy Analytics Says Solid-State Batteries In EV Sector To Experience Delays

A latest report by Strategy Analytics Electric Vehicle Service (EVS) has revealed that there will be delays in deployments in solid-state batteries in electric vehicles. The timeline may be pushed up to 2030. The report called, ‘Can Solid-State Batteries Reach Mass Production?’ has come against the backdrop of the recent announcements from solid-state battery manufacturers that deployments by automotive in electric vehicles will begin in the near-term.

The report by Strategy Analytics has shared that Toyota has announced that the first deployment of its solid-state battery cells will be in hybrid models, opposed to battery electric, in 2025. The technology trial was originally planned to take place during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. The development, however, was pushed further due to technical challenges as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report further states that the Japanese multinational’s solid electrolyte is sulfide-based, which necessitates moisture-free production environment. In moisture, it would be vulnerable to generate hydrogen sulfide gas, which can impinge on the battery cell performance.

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Kevin Mak, principal analyst in the Global Automotive Practice (GAP), notes, “Other solid electrolytes have challenges in conducting lithium ions between electrodes. Then there are challenges in producing these electrolytes, including the need for high temperatures and complicated processes, that are presently limiting the ability to achieve volume production and keeping costs high.”

Mak also mentions that additionally, the solid structure and fused components in solid-state battery cells are susceptible to delamination when using a silicon anode and pose a challenge to recycling. “The dendrite issue doesn’t go away either as minute cracks in the solid electrolyte can occur”, he added.

Strategy Analytics informs that with higher cost, the first deployments will be restricted to premium models. This trend will continue until technological breakthroughs and production maturity facilitate volume production for battery EVs in the 2030s timeframe. “Prior to this, semi-solid-state cells and implementation in hybrid models will provide the test beds for true solid-state battery technology,” the report noted.

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A recent report by IDTechEx has found that R&D development for solid state batteries is on the upswing due to high demand from the electric vehicle market. IDTechEx said that solid-state electrolytes normally behave as the separator allowing downscaling due to the elimination of certain components, such as the separator and casing. Thus, they hold the potential to be developed in a  thinner, flexible manner while being able to contain higher energy per unit weight as opposed to conventional lithium-ion batteries.