General Motors is far ahead in battery development. Their EVs offer a long range. Now they want to increase their lead further, and for this they are researching new battery technology.
You probably know that solid-state batteries are called the "Holy Grail" of EV technology. This is because they have many advantages.
These batteries can give more range to EVs. They can be recharged quickly. Costs could be lower. And they're more secure.
Most of today's EV batteries have a liquid or gel electrolyte. But solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte. As a result, batteries are less prone to heat and fire. They are also less affected by bad temperatures. This will enhance their security. Moreover, these batteries do not require complex cooling systems. These batteries are even denser, meaning they will be smaller and lighter than liquid batteries of the same strength.
Some companies, such as Mercedes-Benz and Nissan, say they will start making cars with solid-state batteries by the end of this decade. General Motors is also researching this technology. But they aren't ready yet.
In an interview with InsideEVs, Kushal Narayanaswamy, head of GM's advanced battery cell engineering department, told that they are researching solid-state technology, but have not yet decided to make it on a large scale. This is because GM is not only looking at solid-state, but also other good solutions like sodium-ion batteries. All this information has been obtained from InsideEVs.
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Now let's talk about sodium-ion batteries. General Motors will probably focus on making sodium-ion batteries before solid-state batteries. These batteries also use a liquid electrolyte just like lithium-ion batteries. Narayanaswamy also informed that GM has full technical knowledge of making sodium-ion batteries. All they need is the right usage and supply chain.
The energy density of sodium-ion batteries is slightly lower than today's lithium-ion batteries. But they have a huge advantage. They use sodium, which is found in large quantities in the earth. Therefore, their cost is low. Some Chinese car companies are already selling EVs with sodium-ion batteries. China's big battery company CATL also showed its first sodium-ion battery this year.
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Not only solid-state and sodium-ion. "GM is also doing research on seven different anode and cathode chemistries. This is where chemical reactions take place inside the battery, from which electricity is obtained or stored. A month ago, GM said it had developed a battery using a mandanese-rich cathode. Mandanese is a common metal that is much cheaper than traditional cathode materials such as nickel and cobalt. This means that it has the power to reduce battery prices.
Dodge maker Stellantis will be among the first companies in the US to offer solid-state batteries for cars. But China's technology is far more advanced than that.
GM's battery work is done at their Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center. The center opened in 2022 at their large technical center in Warren, Michigan. This center allows GM to develop and test new chemistry and cells at home. This reduces development time and allows for greater control over the entire process, from raw materials to designing battery cells and installing them in the vehicle.
Sources: InsideEVs
