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Are Solid-State Batteries Coming?

June 17 , 2025

The Ultimate Form of Lithium Batteries – Solid-State Batteries

Advantages of Solid-State Batteries (SSBs)

The driving range of new energy vehicles (NEVs) has long been constrained by battery energy density, which is fundamentally determined by the cathode and anode material systems. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have undergone multiple iterations, primarily upgrading cathode materials—from early-stage lithium iron phosphate (LFP) to nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) variants (e.g., NCM523, NCM622, where the numbers denote the ratios of nickel, cobalt, and manganese), and now to high-nickel NCM811. Future advancements may shift to lithium-rich manganese-based (LRM) cathodes.

In contrast, anode materials have seen limited breakthroughs, evolving only from graphite to silicon-carbon (Si-C) composites. While Si-C anodes offer an energy density cap of ~400 Wh/kg, switching to lithium metal anodes (LMAs) could theoretically enable 2,600–3,500 Wh/kg, a revolutionary leap. However, LMAs are incompatible with conventional liquid electrolytes (LEs) due to lithium dendrite formation during cycling. These dendrites penetrate the separator, causing internal short circuits, thermal runaway, and fires. Thus, despite LMAs’ unmatched energy density, their adoption requires solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) that match LEs’ ionic conductivity while suppressing dendrites—a key driver for SSB development.

Similarly, LE-based systems are voltage-limited (~4.2 V), restricting high-energy cathode options. SSEs enable extreme-voltage cathodes (e.g., high-nickel or sulfur), further boosting energy density.

Key Differences: SSBs vs. Conventional LIBs
The most significant distinction lies in the replacement of liquid electrolytes and separators with solid electrolytes. Beyond safety and energy density, SSBs offer advantages in:

Vehicle Lightweighting: Eliminating separators and LEs (which occupy ~40% volume and 25% weight) reduces thickness. Enhanced safety also allows removal of thermal management systems, improving volumetric efficiency.
Cycle Life: Dendrite suppression enables ~45,000 cycles under ideal conditions.
Fast Charging: Full recharge in minutes.
Operating Temperature Range: 3× wider than LEs.

Challenges and Development Roadmap
SSBs face hurdles like low ionic conductivity (due to poor solid-solid electrode/electrolyte interfacial contact) and high costs, delaying mass production by 5–10 years. To mitigate interfacial resistance, hybrid electrolytes (partial liquid content) are used, leading to a stepwise transition:

Semi-solid-state batteries (≤10% liquid) – Prioritize safety and production compatibility.
Quasi-solid-state batteries (≤5% liquid) – Balance performance and manufacturability.
All-solid-state batteries (zero liquid) – Ultimate goal.

Semi-solid batteries, while not significantly boosting energy density, excel in safety (e.g., resistance to impact, overheating, and short circuits) and manufacturing compatibility (requiring only minor modifications to existing pouch-cell production lines). This explains their rapid adoption in current EV models.

The development of solid-state batteries is showing a phased breakthrough. Semi-solid batteries (liquid electrolyte content ≤10%) are the first to achieve commercial application with higher safety and production line compatibility. Leading Chinese and American companies are focusing on oxide and sulfide solid electrolyte systems, pursuing high stability and high ionic conductivity, respectively. The technology roadmap shows that a breakthrough in quasi-solid-state batteries (liquid content ≤5%) will be achieved from 2030 to 2035, and eventually move towards the era of completely liquid-free all-solid-state batteries.

As an innovator in the field of new energy equipment, Acey New Energy has been deeply involved in battery lab R&D equipment and battery pack assembly equipment technology for many years, with business covering the entire chain of equipment solutions in the energy storage industry.

Upstream materials: battery cathode & anode material, battery separator and tape, etc.
Cell R&D: lab vacuum mixer, slurry filter, electrode coating machine, rolling pressing machine, die cutting machine, ultrasonic spot welding machine, glove box, battery sealing machine, etc.
Pack Assembly: lithium cell grading machine, battery cell sorting machine, battery pack spot welder, battery comprehensive tester, battery aging machine, etc.

Turnkey solutions:
▶ Coin cell lab-scale fabrication line
▶ Cylindrical cell lab-scale fabrication line
▶ Pouch cell lab-scale fabrication line
▶ Battery pack assembly line for ESS

▶ Battery pack assembly line for drone

▶ Battery pack assembly line for Electric two-wheeler

▶ Battery pack assembly line for E-bike

▶ etc

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