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Who dares wins: a new power player entering the race for solid-state batteries.
Rimac, the European electric car maker known for its super speedy EVs and also joined forces with Bugatti, is well advanced in its pursuit of the futuristic EV tech, according to UK publication Autocar.
Bugatti Rimac Chief Operating Officer Nurdin Pitarevic said the company will install solid-state batteries in a Bugatti model by 2030.
Solid-state batteries are smaller, more energy dense and less prone to fires than conventional cells. The secret to their ability is the replacement of the gel or liquid electrolyte used in current batteries with a solid electrolyte.
The problem is, they are incredibly hard to build and engineer to a standard required of electric cars.
Some carmakers have gone as far to say solid-state batteries will never become a reality or if they do they will only be for super high-end machines.
Enter super high-end carmaker Bugatti.
The incredible precision and craftsmanship that needs to go into building solid-state batteries currently, lends itself to a brand that charges seven figures for its machines.
Bugatti Rimac has teamed up with battery maker ProLogium and Mitsubishi to provide the materials.
It is claimed a prototype 100kW cell has already been made. It is up to 30 per cent more energy dense than a conventional battery and is 30kg lighter.
These aren't groundbreaking stats when compared to what some other makers have been promising from solid state batteries.
Most other contenders are aiming for an energy density of 400W/kg, which is roughly double standard cells used currently.
It is just a prototype and those figures are likely to improve.
Pitarevic also told Autocar he expects solid state batteries to reach price parity with nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion batteries by 2035. NMC batteries are used widely in EVs at the moment, and are more advanced and energy dense than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
Rimac is pouring a lot of energy into making these new cells work, as according to reports it isn’t currently planning on making any new cars as it is pivoting towards being a component maker.
The company’s main focus is maximising range, reducing the risk of fire and reducing charging times. Solid-state batteries claim do all that.
