LG says solid-state batteries will first be used outside the automotive industry

Initially, Western startups and large car manufacturers announced their activities in solid-state battery development more frequently, but later Chinese companies took over the initiative. Authorities even prohibit them from calling batteries that are not pure solid-state batteries. Representatives from South Korea’s LG Energy Solutions claimed the batteries would first find applications outside of electric vehicles.

Image source: Unsplash, Kumpan Electric

President of LG Energy Solutions US Division interviewed Electric car interior He acknowledged that the main problem with solid-state batteries is the difficulty in organizing mass production. These cells offer high charge storage density, making it easier to create compact solutions with their help. At the same time, representatives of the Korean manufacturer explained that it is quite difficult to produce large batteries of this type. He believes that solid-state batteries will appear in smartphones in a decade and then be used in electric vehicles or stationary energy storage systems.

In addition to smartphones, solid-state batteries will be able to more quickly adapt to use in a variety of specialized electric vehicles, such as those designed for maximum range or high-speed driving. In China, local manufacturers are preparing to offer vehicle prototypes with solid-state batteries as soon as next year, but their large-scale distribution won’t begin until the end of the decade. Until then, power batteries using alternative chemistries will continue to improve their characteristics, LG Energy Solution representatives said.

In particular, the company is working with General Motors to produce high-manganese lithium batteries (LMR). They will contain significantly less of the more expensive and rare nickel and cobalt, but more manganese. GM SUVs and pickup trucks will be equipped with these power cells starting in 2028, providing more than 640 kilometers of driving range at a cost comparable to current lithium iron phosphate batteries.

In the United States, LG Energy Solution will also start producing 46 mm diameter lithium-ion batteries, which are more suitable for next-generation electric vehicles. Such a battery allows you to recharge within ten minutes and is safer to use. The company is also developing sodium-ion batteries, which are considered the most promising for stationary power storage systems. China’s CATL has successfully led foreign rivals in this field, including not only LG Energy Solutions but also General Motors.