FAQ: What Are Solid-State Batteries and How Different They Are from Lithium Ion Batteries?

There’s a lot of R&D happening on the alternate fuel vehicles, more specifically in the field of electric vehicles. However, Solid-state batteries could be a game-changer for electric vehicles by storing more energy, charging faster and offering greater safety than liquid lithium-ion batteries, helping accelerate the shift away from fossil fuel-powered cars. Solid-state batteries use thin layers of solid electrolytes, which carry lithium ions between electrodes. Stellantis, formed in January by the merger of Italian-American automaker Fiat Chrysler and France’s PSA, has a venture called Automotive Cells Co with TotalEnergies and a partnership with China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd. Stellantis intends to introduce solid-state batteries by 2026. Ford Motor Co and BMW AG have invested in startup Solid Power, which says its solid-state technology can deliver 50 percent more energy density than current lithium-ion batteries.