CATL targets small-scale production of solid-state EV batteries by 2027

29 April 2024

Electric vehicle enthusiasts are in for a treat, as the world's battery giant, CATL, aims to shake up the market in a few years. The Chinese manufacturer is pushing for small-scale production of all-solid-state batteries by 2027. These cutting-edge batteries promise increased range and superior safety compared to today's lithium-ion batteries in electric cars.

CATL hasn't minced words about the road ahead. Achieving mass production of all-solid-state batteries will be challenging, and high costs are a serious hurdle to overcome. Nevertheless, they're confident in their technology. CATL's chief scientist, Wu Kai, estimates their solid-state tech to reach a score of 7-8 on a 9-point scale by 2027, allowing for small-batch production.

Today's liquid lithium batteries are reaching their limits in terms of energy density, with most topping out around 350 Wh/kg. In contrast, all-solid-state batteries have the potential to reach a whopping 500 Wh/kg, paving the way for significantly longer-range EVs without huge, heavy battery packs. Plus, the absence of a flammable liquid electrolyte makes them inherently safer.

While the path to widespread adoption might be long, CATL has invested heavily in this tech – it has a research team of almost 1000 people dedicated to the project. Their efforts are already showing in partnerships with other industry giants. EV maker Nio, for example, has been working with CATL on semi-solid-state batteries, achieving a 621 miles range on its ET7 sedan – proof of their capabilities.

The road to all-solid-state EV dominance might be long, as some experts advocate for semi-solid-state technology as an easier to adopt interim step. But CATL's pursuit of small-scale production marks a significant leap towards a new era of powerful, safer electric vehicles.

Via