It is becoming clearer that electric vehicles represent the future of the automotive industry. Despite the strong offerings on the market, they still have their downsides and not everyone is convinced about their practicality. Automakers plan to use solid-state batteries to change this.
There has been a lot of talk recently about solid-state batteries and how they are the future of the electric vehicle market. Automakers promise that this new battery technology will revolutionize the market, offering quicker charging times, longer ranges, and lighter loads. What is even better is that it is just around the corner.
We explore the benefits of solid-state batteries and how they will improve electric vehicle offerings for you, the buyer. We also take a look at some of the drawbacks of the technology, and what could hinder its mass adoption. Finally, we outline when we can expect to see this tech in cars and on the road.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed and the EPA.
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The Breakthrough Behind Solid-State Batteries
At this point, it is likely that you’ve heard of solid-state batteries (SSB), one way or the other. Automakers have promised to get them into electric vehicles soon and claim that they will increase charging time, increase capacity, and decrease weight. Understanding how this new technology achieves this warrants exploring the differences between solid-state batteries and the batteries we use in EVs today.
Solid-State Versus Lithium-Ion
The simplest way of explaining the difference between the two is that lithium-ion batteries make use of a liquid or gel electrolyte while solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte, usually in a powdery form. What this means is that solid-state batteries are much more energy-dense, meaning they can hold a charge much better than their lithium-ion counterparts.
This has a number of different practical effects. Firstly, it means that solid-state batteries don’t have to be as large or heavy as lithium-ion batteries, but they can still hold more charge. They are also capable of charging much quicker than traditional batteries, meaning that the charging infrastructure can be upgraded so you can charge your EV in a couple of minutes. They also have a much longer expected lifespan, meaning it will be longer before you have to swap them out.
Pros of SSBs
- Higher energy density
- Faster charging
- Improved safety
- Longer lifespan
- Lighter weight
Cons of SSBs
- High production costs
- Limited scalability
- Temperature sensitive
- Compatibility challenges
- Uncertain long-term durability
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Solid-State Batteries Offer Insane Performance Benefits
Front 3/4 shot of a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 using a Tesla Supercharger
There are many parties trying to convince us that solid-state batteries are the future for electric vehicles. Some automakers have even held out on fully investing in the electric market until solid-state batteries are widely available. The reason for this is that they claim solid-state batteries deliver performance that makes traditional battery architecture look old-fashioned.
Faster Charging and Longer Range
One of the main reasons that EVs haven’t completely demolished traditional internal combustion vehicles (ICE) is that confidence isn’t very high in the batteries. Most electric vehicles are still struggling to keep up with ICE vehicles in terms of range and the long charging times, even on the fastest chargers, don’t even compare to how little time it takes to fill your car up with fuel.
This is where solid-state batteries come in. Their higher energy density means that they can hold much more power, translating into more range in your vehicles. They have also proven to be more efficient, meaning less energy lost when the battery discharges. Currently, the longest range you can get out of an EV in the United States is 512 miles, coming from the Lucid Air Grand Touring. Most automakers are claiming that their solid-state batteries should deliver between 500 and 750 miles.
|
Automaker |
Claimed Solid State Battery Range |
|---|---|
|
Toyota |
745–932 Miles |
|
Mercedes-Benz |
620+ Miles |
|
Honda |
620+ Miles |
|
Hyundai |
600+ Miles |
Charging times are also a big pain in the neck. The quickest-charging electric vehicles on the market can go from zero to 80 percent in 20 to 30 minutes. Solid-state batteries can technically be charged at a much higher rate, meaning they have the potential to charge much faster than traditional batteries. Granted, however, this would mean the charging network would have to be upgraded.
Enhanced Safety and Thermal Stability
Safety is another big concern when it comes to batteries in electric vehicles. In recent times, we’ve seen a number of electric vehicles end up on the news for going up in flames. Putting out a battery fire is no easy task either, and if you’re trapped inside the car with a fire raging it could be catastrophic. Solid-state batteries, however, greatly reduce the chance of thermal runaway due to the fact that most solid electrolytes are non-flammable.
As well as this, solid-state batteries provide some impressive benefits when it comes to longevity. They are generally more stable than batteries with liquid electrolytes, reducing the chance of side-reactions. More importantly, they reduce dendrite formation. Dendrites are tiny crystals that form in batteries over time. These crystals threaten to reduce the integrity of batteries, which is a big reason why batteries need replacing.
An example of this increased life-span is seen in tests done by Volkswagen. They have recently undertaken a test where they put their solid-state battery through 1,000 cycles, with the battery retaining 95 percent of its expected lifespan. This would have equated to around 310,000 miles driven, meaning it should practically last much longer than the average car buyer would need it to.
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There Are Challenges to the Mass Production of Solid-State Batteries
Shot of battery pack assembly at a Honda factory
At this point, you may also be thinking that solid-state batteries are the holy grail of battery tech. However, nothing good comes without drawbacks. While solid-state batteries offer a ton of benefits, and it is clear that the industry is leaning into technology pretty heavily, they are not the easiest things to manufacture and there are drawbacks to getting them into full-scale production.
High Production Costs and Manufacturing Hurdles
Traditional batteries are already fairly expensive to manufacture. Solid-state batteries take this a step further by requiring things like lithium metal anodes and solid electrolytes. They also require entirely new fabrication techniques, meaning that the actual process of production is expensive as well. Many companies are working on developing the necessary infrastructure to manufacture solid-state batteries, but it is all fairly new.
Due to the fact that the infrastructure doesn’t exist, scalability is an issue. While some automakers have already showcased demonstration lines for the production of solid-state batteries, moving that to a full-scale operation is a difficult and costly task. There is a lot of time and money being sunk into research and development with the aim of reducing the overall cost of solid-state batteries.
Honda has shown a lot of promise in this area, with their recent demonstration line showcasing unique methods that aim to reduce production costs. They have begun using a technique called roll pressing, where they essentially stamp battery cells together using a large press. This has had a massive impact on their expected production costs.
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Solid-State Batteries Could Make it to EVs Sooner Than You Think
Close up of the 2024 Honda Prologue using a fast charger
The benefits of using solid-state batteries in electric vehicles are clear, and the new battery technology could be the final nail in the coffin for internal combustion engines. Some of the drawbacks may make it feel like this technology is something we will only see in the distant future, but automakers are committed to getting SSBs in electric vehicles before the turn of the decade.
Expected Timeline for Widespread Adoption
- Mercedes-Benz has begun road tests of SSB-powered EVs
- Honda aims to release SSB-powered EVs in the second half of the 2020s
- Toyota aims to get SSBs on the road between 2027 and 2028
- Nissan aims to debut their SSBs by 2028
For the most part, most automakers and their partners are aiming to get solid state batteries in electric vehicles before 2030. Not everyone has a solid timeline, but it seems that by the time 2030 rolls around, most automakers should be on the board. However, this doesn’t mean that every car will get a solid-state battery. Because of the limited scalability and high production costs, you can expect automakers to focus on a handful of models first before expanding to their entire lineups.
Solid-state batteries will no doubt have a massive effect on the electric vehicle market. It is clear that the automotive world is moving to fully-electric cars, but skepticism from consumers continues to push back against this agenda. However, solid-state batteries address a lot of the concerns that buyers have, and it may be enough to sway a lot of people. However, there will always be people who prefer the growl of an engine, no matter how practical EVs become.
