Solid-state batteries have become the current hot topic.
On April 8, Zhiji Automobile officially released the new pure electric model Zhiji L6, and announced that it will be equipped with the “first-generation light-year solid-state battery”, which is the industry's first quasi-900V ultra-fast charging solid-state battery that is mass-produced and put into cars.
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At the GAC Technology Day on April 12, GAC Group released GAC’s all-solid-state battery technology and announced that it will be installed on Haopin models in the future.
As early as December 8 last year, Dongfeng Motor officially stated that it was developing second- and third-generation solid-state batteries.
On December 17 last year, NIO CEO Li Bin drove the NIO ET7 equipped with a 150kWh semi-solid battery for a live broadcast of an ultra-long-range road test.
On December 25 last year, Changan Automobile cooperated with Ganfeng Lithium Industry to accelerate the advancement of (semi-) solid-state battery research and development joint venture projects and manufacturing industrialization projects.
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Whether it is the recent hot spots or the old news that has become popular, they all point to solid-state batteries. On the Baidu search index, the popularity of solid-state batteries is also rising rapidly.
Solid-state batteries have begun to experience “human-to-human transmission”.
The ultimate form of vehicle power battery
Today's new energy vehicles mainly use traditional liquid lithium batteries, which are mainly composed of four main parts: positive electrode, negative electrode, separator, and electrolyte. Solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes to replace the components in traditional liquid lithium batteries. Electrolyte.
So, what are the specific advantages of solid-state batteries compared to liquid batteries?
Since technical things are inevitably a bit obscure, here, the author summarizes the advantages of solid-state batteries, which can be roughly divided into several aspects:
1. Safer
2. Higher energy density
3.Wider working temperature zone
4.Longer cycle life
Let’s look at safety first.You must know that battery safety issues have always been the reason that restricts many car owners from purchasing new energy vehicles. Many battery safety issues can be attributed to electrolyte leakage, causing batteries to catch fire and explode. After replacing the solid electrolyte, it can be effectively Avoid this problem and make batteries safer.
Secondly, high energy densitywhich is directly related to the battery life of the vehicle, and is also the reason that restricts many car owners from choosing new energy vehicles.
To judge the battery life of a vehicle, we can simply divide the vehicle's power by its energy consumption. When the volume and weight of the battery remain unchanged, the higher the energy density of the battery, the greater the power it can store, and the longer the battery life. It is longer. This is a simple mathematical problem. Currently, the energy density of many liquid batteries is around 250Wh/kg, while the energy density of solid-state batteries can reach more than 400Wh/kg, or even higher, which is much higher than traditional liquid batteries.
Then there is the working temperature zonethis is also the reason that restricts many car owners from choosing new energy vehicles. For example, in cold winter, the battery life will also decrease more. This is because the operating temperature range of traditional liquid batteries is small, and the viscosity of the electrolyte increases at low temperatures, which reduces performance. There is a risk of burning under high temperature conditions, but solid electrolytes do not have these hidden dangers and have a larger working range.
Finally, cycle life, which is also a matter of great concern to car owners. It has become a consensus that the batteries of new energy vehicles have different lifespans. It is obvious that the car can continue to drive, but the battery has failed. The only choice is to replace the battery or the car. Even the value retention rate of the vehicle will be greatly affected, and the solid-state battery will also This problem can be effectively avoided.
In general, the advantages of solid-state batteries perfectly hit the pain points of new energy car owners. After all, who doesn’t want to own an electric car that is safer, has longer battery life, has a high winter battery life, and can be used for a long time?
To sum it up in one sentence, once solid-state batteries can be solved, the battery problems of all car owners will not be a problem now. It is actually not an exaggeration to say that solid-state batteries are the ultimate form of vehicle power batteries.
So, with such excellent technology, why is it only now that human-to-human transmission has begun to occur? Shouldn’t it have been on board long ago?
The answer is, because “I can't do it!”
Carnival or self-pleasure?
To be precise, most solid-state batteries now are not actually solid-state batteries as we understand them, but semi-solid-state batteries.
You should know that batteries can be divided into liquid batteries, semi-solid batteries (electrolyte content accounts for 5%-10%), quasi-solid-state batteries (electrolyte content accounts for less than 5%), and all-solid-state batteries (electrolyte content accounts for less than 5%). (Does not contain electrolyte). Currently, most of the so-called solid-state batteries in the industry are semi-solid batteries.
For example, the “first-generation lightyear solid-state battery” launched by Zhiji some time ago has a battery capacity of 133kWh, a cruising range of over 1,000 kilometers (CLTC), and a peak charging power of 400kW. I have to admit that the performance is indeed very strong, but the liquid electrolyte still exists. This battery is still far from the ideal solid-state battery.
In fact, when many people classify solid-state batteries, they also include semi-solid-state batteries. Therefore, Zhiji’s Lightyear solid-state battery is not false propaganda. It can only be said to be one of the primary forms of solid-state batteries.
This battery is supplied by Qingtao Technology, a supplier of Zhiji. It belongs to Qingtao’s first generation of solid-state batteries. Li Zheng, the founder of Qingtao Energy, once said that Qingtao will release third-generation solid-state batteries, and the third-generation solid-state battery is Real all-solid-state batteries are still in the research and development stage.
So why haven’t solid-state batteries met us yet?
The main reasons are technical and cost issues. Solid electrolytes have problems such as low ionic conductivity at room temperature, large interface impedance between the solid electrolyte and the positive and negative electrodes, and high cost of all-solid electrolytes. At the same time, the cost of raw materials is extremely high and the preparation technology is immature, resulting in the inability to measure Produce.
Previously, Zeng Yuqun, chairman of CATL, said: “CATL has been developing solid-state battery technology for 10 years, but it continues to encounter obstacles in the application of electric vehicles.” Power battery giants with funds and R&D capabilities have stated this. , the difficulty of developing all-solid-state batteries can be seen.
Therefore, many people believe that all-solid-state batteries are a success. Semi-solid-state batteries and quasi-solid-state batteries are more likely to be mass-produced and put into cars, which is the best choice at present.
The author believes that this statement is not absolute. Semi-solid-state batteries and quasi-solid-state batteries are indeed more likely to be mass-produced and put into cars, and they are indeed good choices. However, all-solid-state batteries are by no means self-proclaimed. The technology must continue to develop. A breakthrough.
For example: the autonomous driving functions we are familiar with are divided into 6 levels, from L0 level without autonomous driving to L5 level fully autonomous driving. The current autonomous driving level in the industry only stays at L2 level, and even L3 It’s very clear when it will arrive, but will this stop us from working towards L5? It’s not necessary to engage in research and development and product optimization.
The same is true for all-solid-state batteries. The core has only one ultimate goal, which is to improve the consumer experience.
Solve battery life anxiety, charging anxiety, winter battery life degradation, safety anxiety, etc., all of which are to serve consumers. In the process of constantly optimizing consumer experience, power batteries are also constantly evolving, and eventually become our ideal All solid state battery. This is a road that has been planned, but it will take a long time to reach the end.
Therefore, it is true that the symbolic significance of all-solid-state batteries is greater than its actual significance. It is also true that semi-solid-state batteries are more suitable for the present, but it is also true that all-solid-state batteries must be developed.
According to the current inferences of industry experts and major manufacturers, the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries may arrive around 2030, which is obviously not a meaningless boast.
To sum it up in one sentence, don’t believe those who say solid-state batteries are mass-produced, and don’t listen to those who say solid-state batteries are nonsense.