Key Takeaways
1. Chery has introduced a solid-state battery, the Rhino S, featuring a polymerized electrolyte and manganese cathode, targeting mass production by 2027.
2. The Rhino S battery achieves an energy density of 600 Wh/kg, nearing theoretical limits and outperforming previous models.
3. Chery plans to begin pilot production of the Rhino S batteries in March, aiming to integrate them into vehicles by 2027.
4. China’s national task force is focused on advancing solid-state battery technology, with a goal to transition from lab research to practical application.
5. Chery’s solid-state batteries promise greater safety, faster charging, and an anticipated range of 800 miles for electric vehicles, addressing range anxiety concerns.
After Toyota, CATL, and Samsung announced that they would begin mass production of solid-state batteries in 2027, a new contender has emerged, potentially outshining their plans.
Chery’s Bold Move
Chery, China’s largest car exporter, has revealed its own solid-state battery featuring a polymerized electrolyte and manganese cathode. The company sold over 1.2 million vehicles globally in the first half of this year, showcasing its market strength.
The Rhino S battery employs a unique polymer electrolyte, akin to the flexible solid-state battery prototype introduced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). This polymerization boosts ion conductivity and decreases transfer times, resulting in an improved energy density within the same size. Furthermore, the addition of manganese to the cathode resembles the technology developed by GM and LG for production in the US.
Impressive Energy Density
With its innovative electrolyte and cathode materials, the Rhino S battery achieves an impressive energy density of 600 Wh/kg, nearing the theoretical limits of solid-state battery technology. Although the flexible solid-state battery designed by CAS has shown potential for an 86% increase in energy density compared to previously announced models, it remains in the lab and prototyping phase.
Chery plans to commence pilot production of its Rhino S solid-state battery cells, maintaining the 600 Wh/kg energy density, next year, and aims to integrate these batteries into vehicles by 2027. Due to the high manufacturing costs of solid-state batteries at low volumes, industry giants like CATL or Panasonic view them as better suited for applications requiring high volumetric density, such as drones or humanoid robots.
Future of Solid-State Batteries
Toyota has indicated that its initial solid-state battery cars will be luxury models under the Lexus brand. Meanwhile, Chery’s large exports of hybrid vehicles present another potential market avenue. Competing with well-established brands like CATL or BYD in the current mass market for EV batteries proved challenging for Chery, which is why it has pivoted to focus its significant R&D resources on emerging technologies like solid-state batteries.
The Rhino S battery has undergone rigorous testing, including extreme temperature and nail penetration assessments, passing with exceptional results. This success paves the way for pilot production at Chery’s Anwa New Energy Technology facilities, scheduled for March. The first generation of solid-state batteries previously had an energy density of 350 Wh/kg, whereas companies like Samsung, Toyota, and CATL aim to develop commercially viable batteries with 500 Wh/kg energy density by 2028.
China is striving to be a leader in the next generation of EV battery technology and has formed a national task force dedicated to advancing solid-state battery research. A recent report from state media indicates that the transition from lab research to practical application is underway. “In the past, a 100-kilogram battery could only provide a maximum range of 500 kilometers, but now it is anticipated to surpass the 1,000-kilometer mark,” the report states.
Chery’s Rhino S stands out as a next-generation solid-state battery with the highest density for a production-ready technology revealed to date. With its 600 Wh/kg solid-state battery, Chery aims to develop electric vehicles with a range of 800 miles, significantly reducing range anxiety. These batteries are also generally safer and can charge more quickly than current EV batteries. The main question remaining is how much will the first mass-produced electric vehicles with solid-state batteries cost when they arrive in 2027.
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