The US government has faced criticism for its approach to vehicle electrification this year, but developments in solid-state electric vehicle (EV) batteries continue to progress independently. BMW has entered the race for solid-state battery technology through partnerships with US startup Solid Power and South Korea’s Samsung SDI. These batteries, which utilize solid materials instead of liquid electrolytes, promise significant advantages such as increased safety, efficiency, and longevity, thereby enhancing the viability of electric vehicles.
Solid-state batteries mark a transformative shift in energy storage, and BMW’s involvement builds on its previous interest in Solid Power since 2016. The recent collaboration aims to utilize Solid Power’s innovative sulfide-based solid electrolyte in Samsung SDI’s manufacturing of battery cells. While performance specifications remain undisclosed, the partnership signals a concrete step toward creating a BMW demonstration vehicle utilizing this advanced technology.
Solid Power, created as a spin-off from research at the University of Colorado-Boulder, is working to overcome various challenges in solid-state battery development, particularly related to the incorporation of sulfide electrolytes. Their design emphasizes cost-effectiveness and scalability, incorporating materials that are abundantly available in nature. Meanwhile, other companies, such as QuantumScape and Toyota, are exploring different electrolyte solutions to enhance battery performance, showcasing the dynamic research landscape in solid-state technology.
In parallel to advancements in solid-state batteries, the US is also addressing its electric vehicle battery supply chain challenges amid environmental concerns related to lithium and other key materials. The Department of Energy’s ARPA-E has initiated a $25 million funding opportunity targeting extraction technologies that recover lithium from wastewater associated with oil and gas drilling. This funding initiative is critical not just for the automotive sector but for broader U.S. industries reliant on essential materials, highlighting an intersection of environmental sustainability and technological innovation in energy storage solutions.