Solid-state batteries are thought to be the future of EVs, and Chinese car company SAIC looks like it'll be first to the punch.
  • Diplomjodler@lemmy.world
    123·
    5 months ago

    Once solid state batteries are produced at scale it will truly be game over for ICE vehicles. Meanwhile the European and US manufacturers just whine and cry for protectionism while sitting on their hands.

    • Bye@lemmy.world
      5·
      5 months ago

      Which will also mean a renaissance for classic vehicles for EV conversions. Currently the EV market is too small to really support them, but as EVs start hitting junkyards, it will become a big deal.

      • Diplomjodler@lemmy.world
        7·
        5 months ago

        The conversion business is held back right now by high battery prices. Once those come down, it will take on a whole new dynamic.

    • Avid Amoeba@lemmy.ca
      3·
      5 months ago

      There are multiple US firms that are actively researching solid state batteries. I think at least one is in the manufacturing scaleup research phase. The auto manufacturers aren’t generally into the cell research business and they don’t need to be. Once a firm begins mass manufacturing, the autos will buy the output and use it in their cars. Protectionism is needed for other reasons. Meanwhile they’re all working on their platforms.

      • Diplomjodler@lemmy.world
        3·
        5 months ago

        That would be QuantumScape. It seems like they are well on the way to commercialisation but with stuff like that it’s always “I’ll believe it when i see it”.

        • Avid Amoeba@lemmy.ca
          3·
          5 months ago

          Yup. Same with all of them. I’ve been reading solid state battery hype for at least a decade.

      • Diplomjodler@lemmy.world
        6·
        5 months ago

        Depends on who you ask. The main advantage is better cycle life and being able to charge faster. That will address the concerns most people have about EVs. There will also be advantages in energy density and manufacturing cost but right now it’s really difficult to say where we’ll land in that regard.

        • B0rax@feddit.de
          3·
          5 months ago

          To be honest, current batteries are already designed to last over 10 years. And with them charging at over 100kW, a 15min break every 3h of travel is all you really need (and you should do anyway for you own sanity).

          I agree that people are anxious because of these reasons, but just because they have never really tried long range travel with an EV.