Samsung shows solid-state battery that lasts 20 years

Samsung is upping the stakes in the race to commercialize solid-state batteries. At the SNE Battery Day 2024 event in Seoul, South Korea, the tech company announced that its pilot production line is now fully operational, with plans to transform into mass production by 2027.

Early customers have already returned feedback on their solid-state oxide battery, which features a performance that must revolutionize battery technology.

The South Korean technology giant has distributed the first batches of its batteries to some electric vehicle manufacturers, receiving positive responses on their performance and potential. Like other start-ups in the field, these solid-state samples promise to enhance the range and efficiency of electric vehicles significantly.

According to Samsung, the potential driving range is 965 kilometers (600 miles) on a single charge, and the ability to recharge in just nine minutes ranges from 20% to 80%. These packs also belong to the so-called ‘million-mile’ category, translating into a lifespan of roughly 20 years.

“Super-premium”

The energy density is an impressive 500 Wh/kg, nearly doubling the density of current mainstream EV batteries. This increase could effectively double the driving range of electric vehicles switching to these packs. All the specs point to using them in luxury cars or even sports cars.

Because of the high production costs currently associated with solid-state technology, Samsung admits that it initially plans to target the ‘super-premium’ segment with its new type of battery. The Korean tech firm isn’t solely focused on solid-state, as it also develops lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and cobalt-free batteries. Its pilot line for solid-state technology was inaugurated in 2023.

Enter the big names

The field of solid-state battery development is crowded with promising start-ups like QuantumScape, SolidPower, and WeLion. Still, when big names like Samsung join the bandwagon, the technology will ripen faster.

Competition is fierce, and the leading battery maker, CATL, has set its sights on the technology, aiming for a comparable density of 500 Wh/kg. However, their program first runs through the intermediary step of a semi-solid electrolyte, which eclipses the range and charging performance of Samsung’s technology.

Toyota is one of the automotive giants opting for Samsung. The group has already unveiled that it will implement solid-state packs as of 2027, but don’t expect them in a BR-Z or all-electric Corolla. Luxury brand Lexus will kick off the solid-state era at the world’s biggest car manufacturer as it has better chances for a return on investment.

A drawback is that the claimed recharge time of roughly ten minutes requires a performance rating from the infrastructure, which currently isn’t in place.

Fast chargers of at least 480 kW are required, but save a few exceptions in China, these aren’t installed yet in Europe, where Ionity, for example, currently holds 350 kW. However, this could change because the deadline is still some years away. Belgian provider Sparki aims to roll out stations with 700 kW in Belgium over the coming years.