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According to The Elec, Samsung has recently made waves in the electric vehicle battery industry, particularly in solid-state batteries, by introducing a brand new type of battery: charging 600 miles in just 9 minutes with a 20-year lifespan.
At the International Battery, Rechargeable Battery, and Energy Storage Technology Expo (Battery Expo 2024) held in Seoul, South Korea, the company revealed that its pilot production line for solid-state batteries is now fully operational.
“Last year, we built a pilot line to mass-produce solid-state batteries by 2027. Furthermore, the first batches of batteries have been delivered to electric vehicle manufacturers for testing. We have been providing samples to customers from the end of last year to the beginning of this year and are receiving positive feedback,” said Samsung.
These solid-state batteries are expected to be smaller, lighter, and safer than the lithium-ion batteries currently used in most electric vehicles. “Solid-state batteries can enhance safety by replacing liquid components with solid ones. When used with the same package size as existing products, they will reduce weight and take up less space,” the company emphasized.
However, due to the high production costs, the initial application of these batteries will be limited to the “super-premium” segment of electric vehicles – those with a range of approximately 1,000 km.
Samsung’s solid-state oxide battery technology boasts an energy density of 500 Wh/kg, almost double the density of 270 Wh/kg of regular electric vehicle batteries. This increased density has the potential to double the range of current electric vehicles.
Additionally, Samsung’s claim of a 9-minute charge may refer to the standard measurement of charging a battery from 10% or 20% to 80% capacity, rather than a full charge from 0% to 100%. This practice is common in the industry as the charging speed typically slows down significantly beyond the 80% mark to protect the health and longevity of the battery.
Apart from its research on solid-state batteries, Samsung is also developing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and cobalt-free batteries that are more affordable, as well as a dry electrode production method to reduce costs.
The limited infrastructure remains a significant challenge in the electric vehicle battery industry. While some Chinese battery manufacturers have offered 5C or 6C charging speeds, equivalent to 480kW and even 600kW charging stations, their numbers are quite scarce.
Battery manufacturers are trending towards extending the lifespan of electric vehicle batteries. CATL and other battery manufacturers have announced batteries with a 20-year lifespan, often referred to as “million-mile” batteries. Samsung’s vision of extending battery life to 20 years aligns with the broader market trend.
Despite making strides in solid-state battery technology, Samsung still faces intense competition from Chinese manufacturers.
According to InsideEVs
