For the first time, the Chinese manufacturer BYD, Tesla’s biggest competitor, has finally spoken out about revolutionary solid-state batteries. The brand believes that this technology will become more widely available in around 5 years, but first on high-end electric cars.
You may not know it, but the number two electric car manufacturer in the world, which recently overtook Tesla thanks to impressive sales in China, is also a battery manufacturer.
Indeed, BYD supplies batteries for manufacturers other than itself, starting with Tesla and certain versions of its Model Y, or even Peugeot and its e-3008 and e-5008 while waiting for the launch of the French ACC battery factory in northern France.
Technology still too expensive
At BYD, we produce LFP and NMC batteries, but we do not yet produce solid-state batteries (or otherwise called “solid-state batteries”). The manufacturer had never officially positioned itself on the subject of this technology announced as revolutionary, but during the World Congress of New Energy Vehicles held in Haikou, China, Lian Yubo, the chief engineer of BYD, shared the Chinese giant’s vision on the future of solid-state batteries. The latter announced cautious but promising outlook for adoption of this technology.
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Lian Yubo stressed that the generalization of solid-state batteries should not see the light of day in the next three years. He considers gradual adoption within five years, around 2029. This technology should first be integrated into high-end models before becoming more widely available for more conventional vehicles.
But there are still some obstacles to overcome, starting with the high costs, the complexity of manufacturing processes and the difficulties of integration with existing vehicles.
Competition is sharpening, but with caution
Generally speaking, BYD has no choice but to lean towards this technology. Nio, BYD’s direct competitor, has already presented a 150 kWh semi-solid-state battery at the Nio Day 2020 event.
On the other hand, although this battery, manufactured by local start-up Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology, offers an energy density of 360 Wh/kg, its cost remains extremely high. According to Qin Lihong, the co-founder of Nio, the price of this battery is almost equivalent to that of the ET5, the brand’s entry-level model (around 45,000 euros).
For its part, CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, plans to produce all-solid-state batteries in small quantities by 2027although large-scale production remains uncertain due to the same cost hurdles. Moreover, BYD formed a partnership with CATL at the beginning of the year to work on solid-state batteries.
As for SAIC, the first car equipped with a semi-solid battery will arrive next year with the IM L6, a large high-end sedan which could be sold in Europe under the MG brand.
Source: www.frandroid.com
