They promise faster, safer, and cost-effective charging, with high energy densities. However, they still require a lot of work and continue to face significant challenges. We’re talking about solid-state-batteries which, StoreDot predicts, will take at least 10 years to be ready for mass production.
Made of solid electrolytes instead of liquid or polymer gel electrolytes, “all-solid-state batteries are certainly no silver bullet for any vehicle maker currently developing fast-charging electric vehicle architectures” argues Dr Doron Myersdorf. In the opinion of StoreDot’s CEO, “global automotive manufacturers should consider introducing interim technologies in the medium term”. In particular, “semi-solid batteries“.
Semi-solid batteries as a medium-term solution
“It’s crucial that leading battery developers, including the pioneer and leader StoreDot, give global automotive manufacturers a realistic and hype-free roadmap for the introduction of extreme fast-charging battery technologies,” says Myersdorf.
Since solid-state batteries are still a decade away, “the most practical thing would be to start by introducing semi-solid-state batteries,” suggests the CEO. This is because “they have the additional benefit that their manufacturing process is simpler and less challenging than that of all-solid-state technologies,” he adds.
In the specific case of StoreDot, the aim is to start mass production of semi-solid batteries by 2028. “These batteries will be made up of more advanced, safe and high-performance cells. They would be capable of achieving 100 miles (160 kilometres) of autonomy with just 3 minutes of charging,” the company stated in a press release.
The “100inX” technology strategy
A pioneer and leader of extreme fast-charging (XFC) electric vehicle batteries, StoreDot has already revealed its ‘100inX’ strategic technology roadmap. A plan that includes three generations of the brand’s extremely fast charging technology: the 100in5 miles per minute with a predominance of silicon, the 100in3 in a semi-solid state and the 100in2 in a totally solid state.
Regarding deadlines, the Israel-based company says that the 100in5 batteries should be delivered by 2024 and the 100in3 semi-solid batteries by 2028. It’s the 100in2 all-solid batteries that will take longer, according to StoreDot’s forecasts. These are not expected to be available until 2032, thus confirming the idea that we will still have to wait around a decade before they can be mass-produced.
With these extremely fast charging technologies, StoreDot aims to overcome the critical barriers to mainstream EV adoption: the anxiety associated with their range and charging. The idea is to make it possible to charge an electric vehicle in less than 10 minutes in the future. The average time it takes to refuel a car with a conventional combustion engine.
