Solid-state batteries are better than lithium-ion batteries in EV because they have high thermal stability, low self-discharge rate, more safe, affordable, and also take less size.
Are solid-state batteries better than Lithium-ion batteries?
Yes, solid-state batteries outperform lithium-ion batteries in almost every way.
When compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries have the potential to perform better in terms of security, weight, size, energy density, applications, and thermal stability.
Additionally, solid-state batteries have significant advantages over lithium-ion batteries for use in electric vehicles.
Here are the top 10 reasons why solid-state batteries are superior to lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles.
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What is a Solid-State Battery?
A solid-state battery is a type of battery technology that substitutes a solid-state electrolyte, which also serves as a separator, for conventional lithium-ion batteries.
In solid-state batteries, a lithium-metal anode is used in place of the carbon/silicon anode that is utilized in conventional lithium-ion batteries.
The structure of a solid-state battery is depicted in the image.
Top 10 Reasons why Solid-State Batteries are Better than Lithium-ion Batteries in EV.
- A solid-state battery uses solid electrolytes.
The main difference between the two batteries is the electrolyte, through which the electrons travel.
Lithium is a component of both solid-state batteries and lithium batteries.
In contrast to the liquid or polymer gel electrolytes found in lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries, solid electrolytes are used in solid-state batteries.
Solid-state electrolytes serve as cathode and anode separators in addition to conducting ions.
Numerous issues with liquid Li-ion batteries, including flammability, low voltage, unstable solid-electrolyte interphase development, poor cycling performance, and strength, may be addressed by using them.
- A solid-state battery has excellent thermal stability.
In comparison to lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries can store 50% more energy and have far higher thermal stability.
Various solid electrolytes’ properties are compared.
| Solid Electrolytes | Ion conductivity | Electrochemical stability | Mechanical properties | Thermal stability | Manufacturing feasibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polymer | 10^-5 to 10^-3 | Stable with lithium metal low oxidation voltage | Good formability | Limited thermal stability. (melt at 100 ~ 300C) | Available for large-area membrane |
| Oxide | 10^-5 to 10^-3 | 1. Unstable with lithium metal 2. High chemical and electrochemical stability | 1. Nonflexible 2. Poor interfacial contact | 1. High thermal stability 2. May produce high-impedance impurities after co-sintering | High cost for large-scale production |
| Sulfide | 10^-7 to 10^-2 | 1. High chemical reactivity: sensitive to moisture 2. Narrow electrochemical window | 1. Easy densification 2.Good interfacial contact | Good thermal stability compared with liquid and polymer electrolytes | 1. Expensive raw materials 2. Toxic gas release |
| Halide | 10^-9 to 10^-3 | High chemical and electrochemical stability | Nonflexible | Some of them have poor thermal stability | Scalable aqueous phase preparation |
| Hydride | 10^-9 to 10^-3 | Stable with lithium metal | Nonflexible | Poor thermal stability | Combustible gas |
- A solid-state battery offers high energy density.
Because they can eliminate the safety risks associated with organic electrolytes and enable energy-dense lithium anodes, solid-state batteries (SSBs) are regarded as the most advanced high-energy-density energy storage technologies.
The energy density of the new solid-state battery is 460 Wh/kg for both electrodes.
Solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) must be thin, and light, and provide a wide electrochemical window to couple with high-voltage cathodes to maintain the high energy density of SSBs.
The energy density of a solid-state battery is displayed in the table.
| Next generation of solid-state battery | Cell-mass specific energy(Wh/kg) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Lead acid | 100 | The 1970s |
| Nickel metal hydride | 150 | The 1980s |
| Lithium-ion | 300 | Today |
| Solid-state lithium metal | 500 | Today |
- Self-discharge is lower.
Battery self-discharge is a phenomenon in which the stored charge of the batteries battery is reduced by internal chemical reactions without any electrical connection between the electrodes.
Batteries initially have less than a full charge when used due to self-discharge, which also shortens their shelf-life.
Solid-state batteries have a low rate of self-discharge, prolonging their usable life.
The battery’s self-discharge rate is displayed in the table.
| Name of the solid-state battery | Amount of self-discharge |
|---|---|
| Li-ion battery | 2% to 3% |
| Lead acid battery | 4% to 6% |
| NiCad battery | 15% to 20% |
| NiMH battery | 30% |
Battery shelf life is displayed in the table based on self-discharge rates.
| Name of the solid-state battery | Shelf-life of battery |
|---|---|
| Zin-carbon batteries | 2 to 3 years |
| alkaline | 5 years |
| Lithium battery | 10 years |
Age, cycling, and high temperatures all lead to an increase in self-discharge.
If a battery’s self-discharge reaches 30% in 24 hours, throw it away.
- Solid-state batteries are highly resistant to heat.
Concerns have been raised about the usage of volatile organic solvents, which are used to make the electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries and dissolve compounds that do not dissolve in water.
On the other hand, solid-state batteries can be utilized at greater temperatures since the electrolytes in them are not formed of combustible substances.
Because the solid does not freeze like a liquid even at low temperatures, the internal resistance does not increase significantly and battery performance does not suffer.
- Solid-state batteries have a long life cycle.
It has been proven that a high-voltage (5V) solid-state battery can withstand over 10,000 cycles.
The amount of energy a battery can hold depends on its voltage for particular battery size.
After 10,000 cycles, the solid-state battery still has more than 90% of its initial capacity.
With a daily charge/discharge cycle, a battery of this type has a cycling lifetime that is greater than 27 years, outlasting the lifespan of most electronics and even certain cars.
- Solid-state batteries have design flexibility.
Solid-state batteries bring their malleability to the table.
Solid-polymer cells are much more versatile and simple to deal with because they can be manufactured to be as thin as 0.64mm or around one-tenth the thickness of the thinnest liquid ion cells.
This implies that solid-state battery casings can be molded to fit a variety of space constraints based on the items they are being fitted for, rather than being restricted to rectangular designs.
Because battery spacing won’t be as problematic as it is with liquid ion batteries, manufacturers will be able to experiment with bolder and more imaginative design options.
- Solid-state batteries are energy efficient.
Researchers think solid-state batteries can store up to two to three times as much energy as a comparable-sized liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion battery, in addition to their obvious safety advantages.
Solid-state batteries will enable EVs to go even further distances without requiring any changes to battery size, which could prove to be revolutionary for EV makers in solving frequent concerns about EVs like range anxiety.
A solid-state battery’s capacity to operate at greater temperatures.
Apart from being a more compact battery system, it is also a lighter and more effective substitute because it wouldn’t need the same cooling systems required for lithium-ion batteries to prevent them from overheating.
- Solid-state batteries have a fast charging capacity.
Fast charging is facilitated by the advantage of strong heat resistance.
Batteries heat considerably more as they charge more quickly.
As a result, it is anticipated that high-temperature solid-state batteries would be able to be charged even more quickly than present lithium-ion batteries.
- Solid-state batteries are safe and reliable.
Compared to typical lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries are less stressed after numerous charging cycles and can charge to more than 75 percent capacity in about 15 minutes.
Since solid-state batteries don’t contain any potentially harmful substances, even if a solid-state lithium battery were to leak, the environment wouldn’t be harmed.
More recyclable materials are used to make solid-state batteries.
The Environmental Protection Agency claims that recycling one tonne of batteries can prevent the discharge of 850 pounds of lead, 40 pounds of cadmium, and 35 pounds of acid into the environment.
Solid-state batteries are therefore safe and dependable due to all of these qualities.
The Distinction between Lithium-ion Batteries and Solid-state Batteries.
Before going, be aware of the distinctions between lithium-ion and solid-state batteries.
Let’s take a look at the below figure.
The structure of both traditional lithium-ion batteries and all-solid-state batteries is depicted in the figure.
The solid-state battery and lithium-ion battery are compared in the table.
| Solid-state battery | Lithium-ion battery |
|---|---|
| It uses a solid electrolyte | It uses a liquid electrolyte |
| It has excellent thermal stability | It has poor thermal stability |
| It has high ionic conductivity over a broad range of temperature | It has high ionic conductivity only at room temperature |
| It offers high energy density | Compared to the solid-state battery, it offers a lower energy density |
| It uses non-volatile, non-flammable components as electrolytes, thus they are safe | It uses flammable components as electrolytes, which can cause fire and damage |
| Self-discharge (loss of charge per month) is lower | Self-discharge is comparatively higher and thus it reduces shelf-life |
| No SEI (Solid Electrolyte Interface) layer formation, thus possess a longer life cycle | SEI (Solid Electrolyte Interface) layer is present which affects its lifecycle |
| It is highly resistant to heat, thus fast charging is possible | The charging of Li-ion is slower comparatively |
| It can be made smaller, thinner, etc. because it is structurally unrestricted. | Its structural restrictions are brought on by liquid leaks because it uses a liquid electrolyte. |
Why are Solid State Batteries not Widely Accepted? (Challenges Faced)
Research and development are now being done on solid-state batteries. The development of solid-state batteries is the focus of numerous startups.
It’s still challenging to find solid electrolyte materials with improved performance.
Let’s now examine the difficulties that solid-state battery development is now facing:
- A battery’s electrodes and electrolytes need to be in close contact to function properly. However, because a solid-state battery has a solid electrode upon a solid electrolyte, it is challenging to keep close contact.
- Developing a solid electrode to store more power remains a challenging task.
- The manufacturing process of a solid-state battery differs from that of conventional battery technology. As a result, becoming accustomed to new technology could take some time.
Solid-state batteries are currently being developed by several businesses with the intention of enhancing lithium-ion battery performance. On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries are frequently used in a variety of applications.
Will Solid-State Batteries Replace Lithium-ion ones?
Yes, in theory—or at least, this is the direction things appear to be headed.
Several automakers, notably Volkswagen, Toyota, Ford, and BMW, have already made technology investments.
However, in reality, solid-state battery cells have only ever been mass-produced on a small scale in laboratories; this is an expensive and ongoing project.
It is challenging to create a solid electrolyte that is chemically inert, stable, and an effective ion conductor between the electrodes.
Additionally, due to their fragility and high cost of production, electrolytes are prone to shattering when they expand and compress during use.
However, the solid-state version may become more economical over time, just like lithium-ion batteries did.
Conclusion
As lithium-ion batteries approach their maximum energy density, there is a growing need for more efficient forms of energy storage. These conventional batteries’ drawbacks can be addressed by solid-state batteries, ushering in a new era of energy storage.
So, we listed the top 10 benefits of solid-state batteries over lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. Additionally, we discussed how lithium-ion batteries and solid-state batteries differ from one another. We talked about the potential of solid-state batteries for use in electric cars.
FAQs
What are the types of solid-state batteries?
Depending on the manufacturing process, solid-state batteries can be roughly divided into “bulk” and “thin-film” kinds, with varying energy storage capacities.
Are solid-state batteries the future of electric vehicles?
Many in the EV industry believe that solid-state batteries will be the technology of the future because the more stable solid electrolyte is believed to be safer than current liquid electrolytes.
Recent discoveries, however, imply that there may be more complexities in play.
Which electric cars have solid-state batteries?
The Dongfeng E70 electric sedan is the only electric vehicle with a solid-state battery. Only 50 taxis have been released under the E70’s current fleet launch, which is limited to China. The E70’s battery isn’t a genuine solid-state one either, but it’s a step in the right direction.
When will we see solid-state batteries in cars?
To introduce an electric vehicle by 2028, Nissan announced last year that it will invest $17.6 billion in research into solid-state batteries.
Other automakers also have objectives, such as Daimler and BMW (target launches in 2026 and 2025, respectively). GM, Ford, Volkswagen, and Hyundai have all invested in the research.
Are solid-state batteries for electric vehicles being developed by Panasonic?
The business collaborates with Panasonic through a firm called Prime Planet Energy & Solutions to develop solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. In addition to working on solid-state batteries, the joint venture company is an expert in prismatic Lithium-ion batteries.
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