The Future of Solid-State Batteries Might Not Be So Solid
Solid-state batteries have been proposed as an alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries in electric cars. But what are the drawbacks of these alternative batteries?
Most electric vehicles
run on lithium batteries
these days, but there's a new kid on the block that could prove to be a better-performing battery. A solid-state pack could be the ultimate car technology
of the future, but is it safer than traditional lithium batteries? Let's take a look. What is a solid-state battery, and does it compare to the traditional lithium-ion ones?
A solid-state battery is an alternative way to provide energy in electric vehicles. The traditional lithium-ion packs use liquid electrolytes to move Li+ ions throughout the battery. However, this is considered a potentially unsafe method of providing power to the car as it can increase temperatures, which could cause a fire.
With a solid-state battery, though, lithium moves from one end to the other using solid materials, which doesn't generally cause the temperature to rise. It also has the potential for a greater energy density than lithium-ion batteries.
According to
Cosmos Magazine
, solid-state batteries tend to show they can go further in between charges when it comes to efficiency. Some of them can get a full charge in as little as 15 minutes
on a DC charger. Are the solid-state batteries really that safe?
Research results suggest that it goes both ways, but it depends on the scenario. For example, during external heating tests (like fire), the solid-state battery didn't produce any heat, the same for an internal short-circuit scenario.
However, when it comes to mechanical failure, the solid-state battery becomes as hot as the traditional lithium-ion one, making it just as unsafe when temperatures begin to rise. These conditions come up when the battery gets crushed or punctured, which could essentially happen when the vehicle collides with another object.
For the most part, solid-state technology is the safer option because electrolytes stay firm in most situations, with a smaller chance of breaking. But, it's by far not considered invincible. It would need some kind of fail-safe measure to keep temperatures from rising should those electrolytes break.
Can you improve them to increase safety?
Ultimately, the best safeguard for solid-state batteries is to eliminate lithium metal. Researchers say that the batteries become more dangerous when lithium is present within the construction. More research needs to be done, but finding other solid materials to use in production would likely offer more safety in the long run.
They've also tested adding a small amount of liquid electrolytes to the solid-state batteries. The findings suggest that it would generate 1/5th the heat lithium packs do when a fire is present. It also would increase the performance of the battery as well. But, you still run the risk of the electrolytes failing.
Still, automakers are putting a lot of stock in the safety of these batteries because many are planning to incorporate them in future vehicles. Volkswagen invested in QuantumScape to provide solid-state technology for future EVs in its lineup, according to
Green Car Reports
. Toyota plans to add them to its hybrid vehicles, while Ford and BMW are turning to solid-state power for a future supply of solid-state batteries. That sure sounds promising, but it might be a while before they can be considered really solid enough to use on a massive scale.
Keeping your electric vehicle safe
Fires in electric vehicles are one of the biggest reasons
many people shy away
from this type of car. While it's true fires will break out in certain circumstances, they don't happen as often as people seem to think they do. The most important thing to remember is to get a sufficient amount of insurance on it to keep it secure should something happen. The problem is, how do you find the best policy without spending a ton of money? That's where
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