A consortium of seven UK-based organisations has signed a memorandum of understanding to develop prototype solid-state battery technology, targeting automotive applications.
Solid-state batteries reportedly offer significant potential advantages over conventional lithium-ion batteries and could be transformational in meeting the UK’s net zero commitments through the electrification of transport.
The successful outcome of the collaboration would be to industrialise UK academic capability to produce cells using highly scalable manufacturing techniques that leapfrog the cost-effectiveness and performance achieved elsewhere.
The consortium comprises organisations specialising in battery research, development and manufacturing, with Johnson Matthey, Faraday Institution, Britishvolt, Oxford University, UK Battery Industrialisation Centre, Emerson & Renwick and University of Warwick among the seven.
Professor Pam Thomas, CEO of Faraday Institution, which is leading the consortium, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce the formation of this unique consortium for the advancement of solid-state battery prototyping that includes leading UK-based organisations at many stages in the value chain.
“Our leadership in this venture signals a move towards a role that the Faraday Institution will increasingly play as a trusted convener of significant partnerships between UK industry and academia as a route to commercialise breakthrough science emerging from our research programmes to maximise UK economic value.”
Potential advantages of solid-state batteries over existing lithium-ion battery technologies include the ability to hold more charge for a given volume – leading to increased EV range – and reduced costs of safety-management. Early deployment of the technology is likely to be in consumer electronics, niche automotive applications and unmanned aerospace, before being used in broader EV markets.
The Faraday Institution forecasts that, in 2030, solid-state batteries are likely to take a 7% share of the global consumer electronics battery market and a 4% share of the EV battery market. Furthermore, global solid-state battery revenues from sales to EV manufacturers are expected to reach US$8bn (£5.87m) by 2030 and then grow rapidly to 2040 and 2050 when the market is expected to become extensive.
However, the Faraday Institution also acknowledged that there are “fundamental scientific challenges” that need to be addressed before high-power solid-state batteries with commercially relevant performance can be realised. The organisation said its SOLBAT project had made considerable progress in addressing these challenges over the last three years.
Furthermore, construction of a “one-of-a-kind” facility being developed by the collaboration could enable solid-state batteries technology to emerge from UK university laboratories, allowing larger cells to be produced using scalable manufacturing techniques improved iteratively through investigation of the causes of problems that emerge during manufacture and testing of prototype batteries.
