The start-up Solid Power has announced the installation of a pilot production line for solid-state battery cells for its biggest investors: Ford and BMW. For the moment, these are only tests.
Announced for several years as a revolution in the making in the world of electric mobility, solid-state batteries are struggling to see the light of day. The technology is not yet mature enough according to Nissan to equip vehicles in large numbers and the manufacturing processes are not mastered.
This is about to change if we are to believe the company Solid Power, which informs that it has installed a pilot production line with the aim of sending these solid battery cells to Ford and BMW for testing by the two builders.
Delivery of cells before the end of the year
If Solid Power’s announcement is so important, it is because it specifies the deadline: before the end of 2022, cells will be sent to Ford and BMW to begin full-scale tests, in prototypes from both manufacturers.
To meet the deadlines, Solid Power plans to replicate in all respects what is done with the production lines of lithium-ion batteries, to limit production costs as much as possible.
By using an already proven process, the start-up wants to move forward cautiously in this new stage of scaling up production. Do not imagine that there will be hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles that can be equipped with solid batteries in the near future.
Indeed, Solid Power has warned that operating at full capacity, its production line should be able to supply 300 cells per week, i.e. around 15,000 per year. The vast majority will be destined for its privileged partners (Ford and BMW).
The advantages of solid state batteries
The solid-state battery cells produced will be made for electric vehicles “with longer range, cheaper and safer” than those of today, according to the start-up’s statement. However, we will have to wait many more years before we can buy a car with solid batteries, since the first models are not expected before the second half of the decade.
Remember that solid-state batteries will increase the energy density of the cells (and therefore offer greater autonomy) and reduce the charging time.
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