Solid-state batteries

Researchers at Harvard’s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) have developed a lithium-metal, solid-state battery they claim can hold significantly more energy within the same volume of traditional lithium-ion batteries while charging in a fraction of the time. While this is welcomed news around a potentially world-changing technology, questions surrounding cost effective scalability remain uncertain.

In a press release this week, solid-state battery manufacturer QuantumScape announced it’s seeking additional funds to expand its QS-0 pilot line. The company plans to use the funds to double the size of the originally announced pilot line. QuantumScape will use this pilot line to manufacture prototype cells for its partner Volkswagen Group and other potential automakers.

Japanese industrial manufacturer Hitachi Zosen has developed a solid-state battery claimed to harness one of the highest capacities in the industry. Additionally, the Osaka-based company states this new solid-state battery can operate under a larger range of temperatures. It will soon be tested in industrial machinery and space.

Over the last few years, there has been an impressive amount of investment into solid-state batteries, which are believed by many to represent the next step in energy storage.

But a timeline for commercialization has never been clear.

Now Volkswagen has become the latest automaker to invest in solid-state batteries for electric cars as it takes a stake in a startup that hopes to bring the tech to market.
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As of late, Hyundai has shown several signs of moving away from fuel cell hydrogen and investing more into battery-powered electric vehicles. For example, the Korean automaker recently confirmed plans for a new platform for long-range EVs.

Now it sounds like this new platform could also make use of a next generation battery technology. 
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