The Volkswagen Group announces promising advances in solid-state batteries.
The partnership with QuantumScape: Positive test results
The Volkswagen Group has revealed that the new solid-state battery cells, developed in collaboration with QuantumScape, have shown outstanding performance in recent tests. These advancements promise increased autonomy and significantly reduced degradation compared to existing lithium-ion batteries and rival solid-state cells.
Superior performance in tests
According to tests conducted by PowerCo, Volkswagen Group’s battery division in Germany, the cells showed minimal loss of only 5% of their storage capacity after over 1,000 charging cycles. This is equivalent to approximately 500,000 km on the road for an electric vehicle with a range of 500 to 600 km, according to the German automaker. In comparison, current industry standards for automotive batteries foresee 700 charging cycles with a maximum loss of 20% of storage capacity.
Positive reactions and prospects
PowerCo highlighted that these new cells also met other essential criteria such as fast charging capability, safety, and self-discharge. Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo, expressed optimism: “These results are very encouraging. The end result of this development could be a battery cell offering long ranges, fast charging, and practically negligible aging.”
Characteristics of solid-state batteries
Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte and separator of lithium-ion batteries with a solid separator typically made of ceramic, polymer, or glass. The ceramic separator developed by QuantumScape is crucial for these new cells.
Future prospects and market competition
QuantumScape aims to start mass production of its new cells as soon as possible, while other players such as Nio and Toyota are also working on similar solutions. Nio plans to introduce a semi-solid battery by 2024, while Toyota aims to commercialize solid-state batteries by 2027.
Volkswagen Group’s sustainable partnership with QuantumScape
The Volkswagen Group has been collaborating with QuantumScape since 2010 and has made significant investments in the development of this technology. Becoming the main shareholder of QuantumScape in 2012, the German automaker has since increased its investments to make electric vehicles more efficient and affordable, with a total investment reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.
This technological breakthrough promises a more sustainable future for electric vehicles and could play a key role in the transition to cleaner and more efficient transportation.
Source: Le groupe Volkswagen annonce des avancées prometteuses dans les batteries à l’état solide (The Volkswagen Group announces promising advancements in solid-state batteries) from L’Annuel de l’automobile – Actualité automobile.
