Solid-state battery by Ford supplier SK On to bring faster charging and energy density increase

With most major battery and automakers working on solid-state battery research, discovery announcements have been coming fast, headlined by Toyota's solid-state battery breakthrough teaser. This time, it is SK On's time to shine, as the battery supplier of Ford and VW unveiled a stable solid electrolyte that allows 70% increase in lithium-ion conductivity.

Just like its fellow countrymen from Samsung, SK On uses proprietary oxide formula for the electrolyte, developed in partnership with Dankook University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering. A bump in lithium ion conductivity usually comes with drawbacks like increased air reactivity and lithium dendrite formation that lead to faster electrode deterioration, but the research team's unique Lithium-Lanthanum-Zirconium-Oxygen (LLZO) mix exhibited remarkable stability.

The LLZO formulation is now a prime candidate for pilot production and SK On is building the test line, with the goal to begin making solid-state batteries there in 2026. Their mass production is scheduled for 2028, shortly after Toyota said its own solid-state battery cells will hit the assembly lines, too. According to the Head of SK On's Next Generation Battery R&D Office:

This solid-state electrolyte, which has both ionic conductivity and atmospheric stability, will have a substantial ripple effect as an innovative technology for creating high-quality all-solid-state batteries. Based on our superb future technological competitiveness, SK On will continue to forge growth opportunities in the field of next-generation batteries.

There are a lot of concurrent efforts for mass production of solid-state battery solutions which have been in the prototype stage so far. A recent solid-state battery factory project in China even sparked fear of overcapacity as when all EV battery plants in the pipeline there hit the market, China will be producing 4x the cells its own electric vehicle industry needs. In Europe, ProLogium is preparing a US$6 billion solid-state battery plant, too, lured by public funds that are distributed as early as the R&D phase there.

On this side of the pond, Ford's partnership with SK On already brought the biggest single investment in US-made batteries for electric vehicles - US$11 billion in the Tennessee and Kentucky factories - that will comply with the federal subsidy requirements. It's not yet clear which SK On clients will get access to the solid-state battery goods, but Ford will probably benefit to some extent, too, as the mass production stage drops solid-state EV battery prices from prohibitive to bearable.

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