Ok… Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Nov. 20, 2024 Honda unveiled the demonstration production line for its own upcoming solid-state batteries, solely developed independently by Honda. The line was constructed on the property of Honda R&D located in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. And here is where it gets really fuzzy? Honda “will determine” the basic specifications of the battery cells, with an aim to begin applying its solid-state batteries to electrified models to be introduced to market in the second half of the 2020s. Honda built the demonstration line to replicate processes required for the mass production. In other words, this is just a mockup. The demonstration line has a total floor area of approximately 295,000 sq. ft., and is equipped with facilities and equipment that enable verification of each production process, including weighing and mixing of electrode materials, coating and roll pressing of electrode assembly and the formation of cells, and assembly of the module. The construction of the facility building was completed in spring of this year, with most of the key equipment necessary for the verification now installed. Honda is planning to begin battery production on this demonstration line just a few months from now in January 2025 and will conduct verification of mass production technologies and costs for each process, while also developing battery cell specifications. Based on the conventional production process for liquid Li-Ion batteries, the Honda solid-state battery production process adopts a roll-pressing technique which will contribute to an increase in the density of the solid electrolyte layers, a process unique only to the production of solid-state batteries and makes continuous pressing possible. With the adoption of the roll-pressing technique, Honda will strive to increase the degree of interfacial contact between the electrolyte and the electrodes while also increasing overall productivity. Moreover, by consolidating and speeding up a series of assembly processes, including the bonding of positive and negative electrodes, Honda will strive to significantly reduce the production time per cell. Furthermore, Honda is also working to reduce indirect costs of battery production, including power consumption, by implementing various measures, including the establishment of production control technology that minimizes the low dew point environment necessary to ensure work safety and battery performance. By increasing cost competitiveness of its solid-state batteries through the adoption of a highly efficient production process and by expanding application of the batteries to a wide range of Honda mobility products, not only automobiles but motorcycles and aircraft, Honda aims to further reduce battery costs by taking advantage of economies of scale. Through these initiatives, Honda will offer new value made possible by its innovative all-solid-state battery technologies to an even greater number of customers and expand the joy of mobility. Honda has abundant manufacturing expertise and a proven track record of achieving mass production of new technologies, such as solar cells and fuel cells. In the area of solid-state batteries, Honda is conducting R&D in two core areas – material specifications and manufacturing methods – with the aim of starting mass production of the battery in the second half of the 2020s. Even before the battery materials and specifications are determined, the production engineering division has been participating in development and taking part in decisions on battery structure, materials, and production methods, which would be most suitable for vehicle installation. As a result, Honda was able to begin operation of this demonstration line quickly and is making efficient progress in material selections. Striving to realize carbon neutrality for all Honda products and corporate activities by 2050, Honda has set a target to make battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100% of its new vehicle sales globally by 2040. Due to their characteristics of high energy density and excellent heat resistance, all-solid batteries are expected to be the next-generation batteries that will solve issues that hinder the popularization of EVs such as range, price, and charging time. In addition to the high energy density and durability achieved by its original material design technology, Honda is striving to lower the cost of the batteries by simplifying the cooling structure by taking advantage of high heat resistance and realizing highly efficient production processes, thereby achieving a significant advancement of EV performance and creation of new value for its customers. I have no idea if Honda has actually developed viable solid-state cells or not. By comparison, Samsung is already in Gen 2 pilot production of its own design with the following details released as of a few months ago. Samsung SDI battery Energy density: Samsung SDI’s solid-state battery energy density is about 900Wh/L, which is equivalent to about 270Wh/kg. It uses polymer solid electrolyte technology Cycle life: Samsung SDI's solid-state battery has a cycle life of more than 1,000 times, which has a longer service life than traditional liquid electrolyte batteries Safety: It adopts all-solid electrolyte technology. The electrolyte is composed of polymer or ceramic materials and does not contain liquid electrolyte, which has higher safety Charging speed: Samsung SDI batteries have faster charging speeds, and it is expected to only take 20-30 minutes to fully charge the battery Product advantages: Samsung SDI’s solid-state batteries use all-solid electrolyte technology and do not contain liquid electrolytes, so they are safer than traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries Samsung stated their own SDI’s solid-state batteries have excellent high-temperature performance and can operate in high-temperature environments along with high energy density and can achieve higher energy storage efficiency and longer cruising range than any Li-Ion cells currently on the market. SAIC, one of China's largest battery manufacturer, plans to offer mass produced Solid States to the market in 2026. First within the LM I6, a Tesla Model 3 competitor, imminently. Some of there own specs include: Energy Density of 400 Wh/kg Predicted to offer vehicles using them, 600-miles per charge. Whoever is first to release a competently designed, reliable, low cost, and fast charging Solid State battery is set to earn hundreds of Billions of $s. The stakes are enormous and I can only hope the world is ready because it is coming. Maybe not tomorrow, but maybe the next day, the day after that, or the day after that.
