While lithium-ion batteries are still considered the mainstream battery technology for the next decade, new battery technologies are also gradually developing. In this regard, foreign media have made predictions about five major battery technologies for the future:
1. Next-generation lithium-ion batteries
To increase battery energy density while reducing the amount of raw materials required, researchers are currently improving the efficiency of existing lithium-ion batteries by enhancing or replacing the anode and cathode materials. According to the International Energy Agency's 2018 Electric Vehicle Outlook report, next-generation lithium-ion batteries will be mass-produced around 2025.
2. Contains lithium batteries
Other lithium-containing batteries include lithium-air batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries, but their technology is not yet ready, their performance in practical applications needs to be tested, and whether their performance is superior to that of lithium-ion batteries has not yet been proven.
3. Solid-state batteries
Researchers have improved autonomous driving and extended the driving range of electric vehicles by replacing the liquid electrolyte in current lithium-ion batteries with a solid electrolyte. Solid-state lithium-ion batteries will have higher energy density and faster charging speeds, while also being safer, more reliable, and longer-lasting. Many automakers (OEMs) are researching this technology; for example, BMW, Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Panasonic are collaborating on solid-state battery technology development, and Volkswagen has formed a joint venture with QuantumScape to develop solid-state batteries.
4. Hydrogen fuel cells
The most representative lithium-free energy storage technology is the hydrogen fuel cell, spearheaded by Hyundai, Toyota, and Honda. However, the high cost of hydrogen fuel cell materials has hindered the development of this technology.
5. Lithium-free battery
Various research teams are trying to break free from the lithium-ion battery mindset and experiment with methods such as graphene supercapacitors and sodium batteries. However, whether such batteries can compete with lithium-ion batteries remains questionable, as lithium-ion batteries are cheaper and have already made a good start in development.
