Solid-state batteries – seen as the holy grail for EVs – are still at least a decade from mass production and carmakers are being advised to consider interim technologies.

Mass-produced solid-state batteries are still at least a decade from mass production, according to StoreDot

Israel-based StoreDot, which has pioneered extreme fast charging battery technology for EVs, said it was important for battery developers to give realistic roadmaps for new technologies.

A solid-state battery uses solid electrodes instead of the liquid or polymer gel electrolytes found in current technologies such as lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries. The technology is seen as game-changing due to its ability to address current lithium-ion problems including charging time and capacity and flammability, providing cost-effective fast and safe charging batteries.

But while they promise much, StoreDot says they remain a work in progress, and still face significant challenges before they can be manufactured at scale.

Dr Doron Myersdorf, StoreDot CEO, commented: “It’s crucial that leading battery developers such as StoreDot give global automotive manufacturers a realistic and hype-free roadmap for the introduction of extreme fast-charging battery technologies. Right now, despite some of the bullish claims by our rivals, all-solid-state batteries are still at least 10 years away. They are certainly no silver bullet for any vehicle maker currently developing fast charging electric vehicle architectures.

“We believe a more practical step is the introduction of semi-solid-state batteries which we are targeting for mass production by 2028. These will be advanced, safe, high-performing cells that can achieve 100 miles of charge in just three minutes. They have the additional benefit of requiring a simpler and less challenging manufacturing process than all-solid-state technologies.”

The company added that it remains on track to produce its silicon-dominant anode XFC lithium-ion cells at scale by 2024 – capable of delivering 100 miles of range in five minutes of charge.

In parallel, StoreDot is already at the advanced stages of developing semi-solid-state technologies which will further improve the batteries by 40% over 4 years – delivering 100 miles of charge time in just three minutes and be mass-production ready by 2028.

Its full solid-state batteries will  arrive by 2032, delivering 100 miles of range on a two-minute battery charge.