The 2035 deadline set out for the transition to zero-emission vehicles is steadily approaching, when all new cars and vans will have to comply with the new emissions standard. 

Giants in the automotive industry have been gearing up for the change by improving electric vehicle designs. One of the ways they are planning to do that is by introducing solid-state batteries (SSB). 

Toyota is set to release a commercially viable solid-state battery-powered EV as early as 2027. Currently, solid-state car batteries are not economical to mass produce, but the Japanese manufacturer has promised to change that. 

What Is A Solid-State Battery?

An SSB uses a solid material instead of a liquid or gel electrolyte to store and transfer energy. They are usually made of ceramic, polymer or glass, making them non-flammable. 

Ions move through the solid material from the anode to the cathode when discharging electricity, and the process is reversed when charging. 

An SSB uses a lithium metal anode rather than silicon-carbon or graphite, making the charging and discharging even faster. 

The chemical structure of the battery allows for higher energy density and because it acts as both the electrolyte and the separator, its size is considerably reduced.

Two types of SSB exist: those with an organic polymer for the solid-state electrolyte and those with an inorganic or crystalline structure, such as glass or ceramic. 

Those planned for use in EVs use solid electrolytes. 

How Are Solid-State Electrolytes Made?

One of the key materials used to build the vehicle batteries is an inorganic solid electrolyte made of titanates. These non-metallic compounds have been used to create ceramic conductors in electronic circuits for decades. 

They also have a high dielectric constant, making them ideal for use in manufacturing SSBs. 

Titanates are created by heating a mix of titanium dioxide and other carbonates or oxides to a very high temperature to create a new compound. The titanate compound used in many SSBs is bismuth titanate. 

Previously, manufacturing processing techniques meant that bismuth titanate suppliers could not produce it at scale. But it can now be produced at high volumes via specialist thermal contract processing. 

The compound is then used to manufacture the high-performance ceramic filler for the SSBs. 

What Is The History Of Solid-State Batteries?

SSBs are not a new technology. In fact, the origins go back to the 1830s and the grandfather of modern electronics, Michael Faraday, who first conceived the idea of using solids for ionic conduction. 

However, SSBs weren’t commercially adopted for another 130 years. Even then, their use was limited to smaller electronics such as pacemakers for cardio patients. 

Since the 1990s, interest in SSBs has increased. They are now used in wearable electronics such as fitness watches and in laptops and smartphones. 

In the last few decades, the focus has been on developing larger batteries for transport, including EVs and aircraft. 

Norway is even planning on making all short-haul flights electric-powered by 2040. However, the technology is still a long way off for aviation applications. 

Once the economic viability issues with larger batteries are resolved, we can expect to see a lot more applications in a myriad of industries. 

Why Are Solid-State Batteries Better Than Lithium-Ion Batteries?

More Power Storage

The density of the energy storage is greater for solid-state than for lithium-ion. Some predict the new batteries to double the capacity in the same size, and therefore double the driving range of new cars. 

Increased Lifespan

The life span of the battery is also expected to be longer than that of lithium-ion versions, as they take longer to degrade. 

Faster Charging Times

Speedier movement of ions through the material means a faster charging time and less time spent at charging stations for drivers. 

Protection needed from high temperatures and their chemical properties increases the charging time for Lithium-ion batteries. 

Safer Than Lithium-ion 

The liquid or gel nature of the lithium-ion batteries when used in vehicles presents a safety risk. Where the non-flammable properties of the SSB reduce the chances of fire, they are also less prone to short-circuiting. 

Reducing the incidence of heat and fire failure in the battery makes the car more reliable overall. 

Smaller Carbon Footprint

A longer life span for the battery means fewer replacements will need to be manufactured. Added to that, SSBs need fewer raw products to be processed to make them. 

Its lightweight and smaller size means transporting the batteries from the factory to the vehicle manufacturer for fitting will result in less carbon emissions. 

What Does The Future Hold For Solid-State Batteries In Cars?

Prototypes of SSB-powered cars are already in existence and have been announced to the world. The likelihood is that the first vehicles produced in bulk will be high-end cars with high-end price tags. 

Whether Toyota fulfills the promise of a commercial vehicle powered by SSBs, it will certainly change how we build and drive EVs in the UK.