Chinese scientists have developed a low-cost solid-state lithium battery that promises to transform the electric vehicle (EV) industry market.
The South China Morning Post reports that this new battery, developed by researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), matches the performance of other next-generation batteries at less than 10% of the cost.
(Photo : STR/AFP via Getty Images) This photo taken on March 12, 2021 shows a worker with car batteries at a factory for Xinwangda Electric Vehicle Battery Co. Ltd, which makes lithium batteries for electric cars and other uses, in Nanjing in China's eastern Jiangsu province.
Breakthrough in Solid-state Batteries
Solid-state batteries have long been considered the future of rechargeable battery technology due to their potential for faster charging times, better performance, and improved safety standards. The main challenge, however, is to find a solid material that is conductive enough to support large batteries.
Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, which use liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries use a solid material as the electrolyte. This change can reduce the bulk and weight of the batteries and eliminate the fire risk associated with liquid electrolytes.
However, the widespread adoption of solid-state batteries has been hindered by high material and manufacturing costs. The USTC researchers tackled this issue by developing a new type of solid electrolyte called LPSO.
According to a paper published in the German Chemical Society's journal Angewandte Chemie, LPSO is synthesized from two low-cost compounds, bringing the ingredient cost down to just $14.42 per kilogram. This is less than 8% of the raw material costs of other sulphide solid electrolytes, which typically exceed $195 per kilogram.
A commercially viable solid-state battery must cost less than $50 per kilogram to produce. With LPSO, USTC researchers have managed to significantly reduce production costs without sacrificing performance.
The new electrolyte maintains the unique advantages of current high-performing sulphide solid electrolytes, including acceptable anode compatibility, which is crucial for performance stability.
The USTC team reported that a battery made from LPSO and lithium metal could maintain more than 4,200 hours of stable cycling at room temperature. This is a substantial achievement that underscores the potential of LPSO to be a game-changer in the EV battery market.
What This Means for the Global EV Industry
The development of LPSO places China ahead in the race to commercialize solid-state batteries, a goal also pursued by major industry players such as Japan's Toyota and South Korea's Samsung.
Both companies have invested heavily in solid-state battery research and development, with plans to release their all-solid-state batteries by 2027.
In January, Beijing launched the China All-Solid-State Battery Collaborative Innovation Platform, a consortium that includes government, academia, and industry giants like CATL and BYD.
This initiative aims to establish a solid-state battery supply chain by 2030, ensuring China remains a leader in next-generation battery technology.
The successful development of a low-cost solid-state battery could significantly reduce the cost of EVs, making them more accessible to consumers worldwide.
Improved battery performance and safety could further accelerate the global adoption of EVs, contributing to reduced carbon emissions and advancing sustainability goals.
Additionally, this is particularly helpful for China's EV industry in the face of tightening sanctions from the West. Recently, the US implemented record tariffs on Chinese EVs, and Europe followed suit.
