Breakthrough battery tech ‘years away’: GM

US manufacturers have poured cold water on a promising battery technology.

Chinese researchers recently revealed that solid-state batteries could revolutionise the electric vehicle game.

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General Motors Vice President - Battery, Propulsion, and Sustainability Kurt Kelty told Detroit's Automotive News that GM has no plans to adopt solid-state batteries.

“Solid state is still years away,” Kelty said.

“But we are definitely looking at solid state because we can’t ignore it.

“If the technology does show promise, then we are going to invest in getting those in our vehicles quickly,” he said.

Solid-state batteries use a different mechanical separator and ion conductor between the anode and cathode. This contrasts many conventional batteries that contain a liquid or gel electrolyte.

Better energy density stores more electricity to provide significantly longer range for vehicles. Solid-state could also be safer by reducing the risk of cell-failure induced fires for batteries and offer a longer lifespan than conventional lithium ion packs.

GM has taken a different three-pronged battery approach to account for its diverse range of EVs. GM’s EVs range from the small hatchback Chevrolet Bolt to the powerful GMC Hummer ute.

Its battery line-up includes lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries, but the majority of GM’s fleet will utilise a lithium manganese rich (LMR) battery.

GM has just launched its electric range of Cadillacs in Australia.

According to Kelty, LMR batteries currently provide better chemistry and performance, while being more cost-effective.

Ford has taken a similarly cautious approach to solid-state batteries, not committing to using the technology just yet.

“It’s a possible future technology,” Ford Battery Research Manager Alvaro Masias told Automotive News.

Other car companies have been investigating solid-state batteries. German powerhouses BMW and Mercedes-Benz have fitted prototypes, while Honda, Nissan and Toyota are also working on solid-state options. But the technology remains in its infancy.

With solid-state batteries still several years away from serious consideration for manufacturers, GM has been looking into silicon alternatives.

Silicon graphite blend batteries can store more lithium ions to achieve greater battery density.

“Silicon, to me, is the closer technology that’s going to be commercialised,” Kelty said.

“Combinations of silicon graphite blend will achieve similar results to solid state technology but at lower cost and using existing manufacturing equipment,” he said.