Key Takeaways
1. China is leading the way in solid-state battery technology standardization, aiming to replicate its success in electric vehicles and battery production.
2. The China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) has developed new standards for solid-state batteries, focusing on performance and safety criteria.
3. Solid-state batteries offer benefits like non-flammability, leak-proof design, and improved energy density, with potential ranges of 300-500 Wh/kg.
4. The push for standardization aims to expedite the commercialization of solid-state and hybrid solid-liquid batteries, with mass production expected by 2027.
5. Major companies, including BYD and Toyota, are investing in solid-state battery technology, highlighting the urgency for rapid standards and certification processes in the industry.
As businesses speed up their plans for producing or using solid-state batteries, the world is seeing its first standardization effort to establish minimum performance and safety criteria for this emerging technology.
China’s Ambitious Goals
Following a government-led initiative that successfully boosted electric vehicles, energy storage, and battery production over the past decade, China has emerged as a leading manufacturer. Now, its standardization authority aims to replicate this success with the next wave of battery technologies.
New Standards on the Horizon
The initial segment of the “Solid-state batteries for electric vehicles: terminology and classification” standard was completed in December. The China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC), responsible for drafting the standard, is now working on standardizing the necessary certification tests. They plan to introduce the first solid-state battery standard by July, which will outline several requirements:
Solid-state batteries utilize solid electrolytes instead of traditional liquid ones and separators. They are non-flammable, leak-proof, resistant to high temperatures, and can endure punctures. These batteries boast an energy density between 300-500 Wh/kg, offering a 30-100% improvement in range and reduced energy loss in colder conditions.
Commercialization Push
This initiative for a solid-state battery standard aims to hasten the commercialization of batteries featuring solid or nearly solid electrolytes, as the new national classification differentiates between the two. Previously referred to as semi-solid, batteries containing 5% liquid and 95% solid electrolyte are now classified as hybrid solid-liquid batteries. They are more affordable to produce compared to 100% solid electrolyte cells while still providing nearly the same safety and significantly higher energy density than current ternary batteries with volatile liquid electrolytes.
According to CATARC, the urgency for standardization arises from the accelerated product release timelines of both automakers and battery manufacturers. The first mass-produced electric vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries are anticipated as early as 2027. Some local battery startups are opting out of the competitive liquid electrolyte battery market and instead focusing on developing and producing hybrid or solid-state batteries.
Innovations and Future Outlook
Their battery models vary, achieving energy densities from 300 to 500 Wh/kg based on the electrolyte technology, safety characteristics, and production costs, which still remain two to three times higher than standard EV batteries. BYD, the largest automaker and second-largest battery producer globally, has recently reported progress in its sulfide-based solid-state battery electrolyte technology, paving the way for mass production of solid electrolyte cells that were previously too expensive or had shorter lifespans than desired. Along with Chinese companies like CATL, Dongfeng, WeLion, and Cherry, which have announced solid-state battery commercialization plans, other firms like Toyota have also targeted 2027 for launching similar products, highlighting the need for rapid standardization and certification efforts.
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