In the field of lithium-ion batteries, Japan holds a leading position due to its first-mover advantage in technology and industry, while my country and South Korea are making great efforts to catch up. In 2014, my country's lithium-ion battery production surpassed that of Japan and South Korea, and it remains among the top producers to this day.
my country ranks first in the world in lithium-ion battery production! However, other countries are looking to reduce their dependence. On November 24th, European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic stated that by 2025, the EU will be able to produce enough batteries to no longer rely on imported battery cells. Currently, my country accounts for approximately 80% of global lithium-ion battery production, but Europe's production is expected to increase rapidly.
For decades, researchers and companies have been trying to create affordable, rechargeable, non-flammable lithium metal batteries, but all have failed.
QuantumScape (hereinafter referred to as Q), an American solid-state lithium metal battery company, recently stated that its lithium metal batteries will soon be used in cars and trucks, but some observers remain skeptical.
In a press release on December 8, Q finally provided the technical results of its laboratory tests: Q has developed a semi-solid-state battery. While most batteries rely on electrolytes to facilitate the movement of charged atoms within the device, this battery uses a solid electrolyte.
The Q battery's performance is indeed outstanding. In a test last year, the American automotive media MotorTrend found that a Model 3 with 5% battery took 37 minutes to charge to 90% using a TSLA V3 Supercharger. The Q battery, however, charged to 80% in less than 15 minutes and maintained over 80% capacity over 800 charge cycles, roughly equivalent to 240,000 miles of driving. Even with very frequent charging and discharging, the battery performance remained virtually unaffected.
However, several challenges arise. First, lithium is extremely unstable. If lithium comes into contact with liquids such as electrolytes that support ion movement, it may trigger side reactions, leading to battery degradation or fire. Second, the flow of lithium ions can form so-called dendritic needles, which may pierce the separator in the middle of the battery, causing a short circuit.
One of Q's key innovations is the development of a solid-state ceramic electrolyte that also functions as a separator. This electrolyte is only a few tens of micrometers thick, which suppresses dendrite formation while allowing lithium ions to pass through easily. The electrolyte on the cathode side of the battery is some form of gel, so the Q battery is not a completely solid-state battery.
Q believes that the solid-state technology used in its batteries will make them safer than current lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries can still occasionally catch fire in extreme situations. Another important advancement is that Q batteries do not have a clearly defined anode.
However, one question remains unresolved. Q involves laboratory testing on a single-layer battery. Automotive batteries, on the other hand, require dozens of layers working together. Moving from testing to commercial production is a major challenge in the energy storage field, and many once-promising battery startups have failed miserably.
Other industry observers have also stated that if Q has only rigorously tested single-layer batteries so far, it remains questionable whether the company can pass scalability and safety tests and use the batteries in vehicles by 2025.
Lithium-ion batteries are an important energy source in our lives, and many companies are researching even better lithium-ion batteries. Regardless of whether this solid-state lithium-ion battery is successful, the development of lithium-ion batteries will continue to move forward!
As part of its plan to achieve "climate neutrality" by 2050, Europe aims to break free from its reliance on imported lithium-ion batteries, with long-term environmental considerations including reducing carbon emissions. In the automotive sector, this involves reducing the number of gasoline-powered vehicles and promoting new energy vehicles.
However, it won't be easy for Europe to break free from its dependence. The core of lithium-ion battery production lies in controlling upstream lithium mineral resources. The world's currently known lithium resources total approximately 62 million tons, primarily distributed in South America and Australia, with European countries' reserves being negligible. While my country, the United States, Japan, and South Korea don't possess abundant lithium resources, they all "got up early" by establishing overseas presence. Data shows that my country already controls half of the world's lithium resources. In contrast, Europe, with its limited domestic lithium resources, has already lagged behind in this strategic move.
