The global electric vehicle market is forecasted to soar beyond a staggering $1200 billion by 2027, signaling massive growth. This industry is swiftly expanding, and the potential for further acceleration lies within the development of more efficient and innovative technologies, especially in the realm of solid-state batteries.

While Tesla is presently utilizing lithium-ion batteries and seeking advancements, several more promising battery technologies are emerging, and among them, solid-state batteries stand out.

Now, let's delve into understanding what exactly solid-state batteries entail.

What is a Solid-state Battery?
A solid-state battery is an advanced battery technology that distinguishes itself by employing solid electrodes and a solid electrolyte, in contrast to the liquid or polymer gel electrolytes commonly found in lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries.


Solid-state batteries feature solid electrolytes as opposed to the liquid electrolytes found in most current lithium-ion batteries. This shift offers a key advantage over liquid electrolytes due to safety concerns associated with the latter's flammable and corrosive nature.

One notable benefit of solid-state batteries is their ability to store a significantly higher amount of energy by weight and volume compared to existing lithium cells. QuantumScape's lithium metal solid-state batteries, in particular, boast technology promising electric vehicles with a driving range comparable to combustion engine-based vehicles. Additionally, these batteries exhibit lower self-discharge rates, enabling multi-year power storage with minimal loss and ensuring a longer lifespan.

The remarkable features of solid-state batteries suggest a potential paradigm shift in the future of EVs. Companies invested in this technology race seek to develop cost-effective and efficient solid-state batteries. Given the immense interest from automotive companies, the race to develop practical solid-state batteries has become a highly competitive field, with each vying to create an optimal battery solution.

Which will skyrocket their position in the automobile industry in the coming years.

Solid-state Batteries: Tesla, Toyota, Quantum Scape, and Samsung

Quantum Scape: Solid-State Battery

QuantumScape, an American company founded in 2010 by Jagdeep Singh, Tim Holme, and Professor Fritz Prinz, specializes in researching solid-state lithium metal batteries for electric vehicles. Notably, in 2018, Volkswagen made a substantial investment of $100 million in QuantumScape, emerging as its largest shareholder.

This battery startup has garnered attention with high-profile investors, including tech luminary Bill Gates, and has former Tesla executive J.B. Straubel on its board. QuantumScape's advancements have positioned it as a frontrunner in developing enhanced batteries.

In late 2020, QuantumScape revealed remarkable performance benchmarks despite initial production challenges associated with solid-state batteries. Through a new lithium-metal anode design, they claim to have overcome these challenges. According to their data, QuantumScape's batteries offer up to an 80% longer range than today's lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, their cells can charge to 80% capacity in just 15 minutes and maintain over 80% capacity after 800 charging cycles.

Toyota: Solid-state Battery 
Toyota, traditionally known for its caution in entering the electric vehicle (EV) market, has surprised skeptics with its ambitious strides. Teaming up with Panasonic, the Japanese automotive giant has embarked on the development of a game-changing solid-state battery, a technology underpinned by over a thousand patents.

These solid-state batteries aim to revolutionize EVs by enhancing ion transfer between electrodes, leveraging sulfur-based electrolytes for faster charging and increased range within a compact package. Toyota asserts that their upcoming SUV, expected to make a limited debut in 2021, will charge fully within 10 minutes and boast an impressive 500-kilometer range from a single charge. This launch marks Toyota's foray into the realm of battery-electric SUVs.

Samsung: Solid-State Battery



Samsung has joined the pursuit of solid-state battery technology, unveiling its research on advanced and enduring all-solid-state batteries as an alternative to lithium metal anodes this year.

The tech giant's innovative approach involves incorporating a slender silver carbon layer, resulting in a high-capacity battery that significantly extends its cycle life. Researchers claim a 50% enhancement in battery protection, all in a smaller volume compared to standard lithium-ion batteries. Samsung's prototype promises to power electric vehicles for a 500-mile range and sustain over 1,000 charges, all within a more secure and efficient package.

These are definitely some promising projects that are giving us a bright hope of a breakthrough in the EV sector.

Tesla: Solid-State Battery
Certainly, Tesla's announcement about the new tabless battery cell '4680' marked a significant leap in battery technology. The larger-format cells, employing novel chemistry, are intended to be produced in-house by Tesla. These '4860' cells are projected to substantially enhance the range and power of electric cars.

According to Tesla, the advancements in these EV batteries promise a fivefold increase in energy capacity and a sixfold increase in power, resulting in a remarkable 16% range improvement for Tesla vehicles. Furthermore, the company claimed that manufacturing these new batteries would be 56% more cost-effective.

Quantum Scape Vs Tesla Vs Toyota Vs Samsung: Solid-state Batteries
It appears that the battery technology race is making substantial strides in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. Here's an overview of the progress and comparative aspects between current and upcoming battery technologies:

Energy Density:
- Current Tesla 2170 batteries have an energy density of approximately 260 watt-hours per kilogram, while the future goal set by Elon Musk suggests a 50% increase in energy density within three to four years.
- QuantumScape's solid-state battery prototypes showcase an energy density between 380 and 500 watt-hours per kilogram. Although their production line is expected to be established by 2025, Musk anticipates advancements in lithium-ion batteries in the coming one or two years.

Charging Speed:
- Tesla's 2170 batteries take about 30 to 40 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent using the Tesla Supercharger. QuantumScape aims for a 25-minute charge to reach 80% capacity.
- Toyota states their batteries can achieve full charge in just 10 minutes, owing to their specific design.

Price:
- Current Tesla 2170 battery pack costs approximately $156 per kilowatt-hour, but Elon Musk predicts the 4680 batteries will be half as expensive.
- The standard battery price is around $220 per kilowatt-hour, but advancements like QuantumScape's technology may significantly reduce costs due to their simpler manufacturing process.

Battery Life:
- Tesla batteries have a lifespan projected to reach 500,000 miles, with Elon Musk indicating ambitions to extend this to over 1 million miles.
- QuantumScape's batteries are designed for hundreds of thousands of miles of driving.
- Availability of these advanced batteries from companies like QuantumScape and Toyota is expected in the next two to three years, with QuantumScape planning for a production-ready solid-state battery by 2025.

Toyota aims to integrate solid-state battery technology into its production vehicles by 2025, while Samsung focuses on refining solid-state battery materials through manufacturing and development.