In China, however, automakers have very little involvement in solid-state batteries. This is partly due to the high R&D costs and long lead times associated with solid-state batteries, which place a heavy burden on automakers; and partly because the industrialization of such advanced technologies carries significant risks.
Dr. Xu Huanxin, Chief Operating Officer of WM Motor, once stated that battery technology is a relatively open field, and the future outcome is uncertain. Therefore, the most suitable approach for emerging battery technologies such as solid-state batteries is to engage in exploratory collaborations with relevant companies.
In fact, the research directions of battery technology are indeed very broad. However, this year, the frequent breakthroughs in solid-state batteries have greatly increased the visibility of solid-state batteries. Even solid-state batteries themselves have many branches, but in essence, they all use solid electrolytes to solve battery safety issues.
Let's take a look at some of the new technologies and major events in the lithium battery industry.
Tesla develops battery preheating technology to improve battery low-temperature performance
Tesla has already demonstrated to consumers that when a battery temperature gets too low, some of its electrical energy is locked and becomes unusable, reducing the car's driving range. Sources familiar with Tesla's software updates revealed that Tesla is researching a battery preheating feature. This feature would help the car overcome the adverse effects of low battery temperatures, unlocking "some of the battery energy that was locked due to low temperatures."
In Tesla's recent 2017.50 vehicle software update and an upcoming mobile app update, a battery preheating feature has been pre-configured. Once this feature is rolled out, Tesla owners will be able to activate the "battery preheating" function via the mobile app when their electric vehicle is plugged in.
Tesla owners previously used this app to preheat the car's interior. In the future, owners will be able to use this app to preheat the battery pack. Tesla hopes to achieve the ability to preheat the battery while charging, which would help maximize battery efficiency in cold climates and ensure that electric vehicles achieve their ideal driving range. The development of Tesla's battery preheating function shows that the battery management system still has considerable room for improvement and could bring unexpected surprises.
Commentary: Upon closer examination, batteries are indeed a very delicate product. Energy density, safety, charging speed, power density, and temperature adaptability have never been truly resolved. Current technological innovations in the industry often achieve breakthroughs in a single performance characteristic at the expense of other aspects. Tesla's pre-launch hype is essentially a compromise forced upon them due to the predicament of lithium-ion batteries' temperature adaptability. This limitation easily leads to questions about whether lithium-ion batteries are the best choice for electric vehicles, which is why many industry insiders believe that fuel cells represent the hope for electrification, while lithium-ion batteries serve only as auxiliary power.
New hybrid energy storage system doubles lifespan
Juroly and the Department of Electrical Engineering at Zwickau University of Applied Sciences have collaborated to develop a novel Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS). It is based on a combination of lithium-ion batteries and UltraCaps (also known as supercapacitors). This hybrid system utilizes an innovative topology to combine low-impedance EDLCs with "higher" impedance batteries to achieve the most suitable system solution.
This topology utilizes ultra-fast power MOS switches for fully digital control, enabling near-arbitrary adaptive matching. This system can double the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries. The power management system can also be adapted for use in light electric vehicles (LEVs) for greater reliability and lower development costs.
Furthermore, while the battery provides stable energy for continuous operation, the supercapacitor receives peak currents and voltages that occur within short periods. The battery discharge current is limited to its rated current, so the battery will never deviate from its optimal operating range under any circumstances. By employing this "protective operation" method, its lifespan can be extended by up to 100%. In addition, the internal temperature rise of the battery is minimal or nonexistent, further extending its lifespan.
Commentary: The combination of lithium batteries and capacitors has long been a research focus for researchers. Capacitors are characterized by high power and long lifespan, but their specific energy is very low. Therefore, combining them with lithium batteries achieves high specific energy, high power, and long lifespan. Personally, I am very optimistic about similar hybrid technologies because supercapacitors, lithium batteries, and fuel cells all have theoretically insurmountable drawbacks. Hybrid technology can effectively address these shortcomings, for example, by combining fuel cells with power-type lithium batteries.
BMW collaborates with US company to develop solid-state batteries
Recently, it was learned from foreign media that BMW has announced a collaboration with US solid-state battery company SolidPower to develop next-generation solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. According to reports, BMW is currently exploring issues such as battery durability in automobiles, and this collaboration is expected to begin production of the next-generation solid-state batteries by 2026.
Founded in 2012 and affiliated with the University of Colorado Boulder, SolidPower possesses its own capabilities in prototyping, small-scale battery production, and materials synthesis. Furthermore, SolidPower states that it is currently a leader in solid-state battery technology, with its products ranking among the best in safety and reliability.
Earlier reports indicated that this company has created a new type of solid-state battery by incorporating high-capacity lithium metal anodes into lithium batteries. This battery boasts 2-3 times the capacity of traditional lithium batteries of the same weight. If solid-state batteries can be mass-produced and applied to electric vehicles, it will significantly improve their range and performance. However, solid-state batteries are much more expensive than liquid batteries, and major automakers are currently increasing their investment in research and development of low-cost, high-energy-density solid-state battery technology.
Commentary: BMW's research into solid-state batteries isn't new; reports previously indicated that BMW announced mass production of solid-state batteries by 2026. However, realistically speaking, compared to its competitor Toyota, BMW's progress in solid-state batteries lags significantly. The fastest way to improve technology is through collaboration, especially for automakers, where the application of technology is more important than the technology itself. BMW's collaboration with SolidPower in the US may well reflect a sense of urgency.
