Development is accelerating, driven by a wave of startups as well as established battery companies.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries dominate the market but face limits in cost and performance. Emerging alternatives like semi-solid-state, solid-state, and sodium-ion batteries target improved safety, energy density, and affordability. Semi-solid-state and sodium-ion technologies are in early commercialization, with production expected to grow significantly by 2029. Solid-state batteries remain in research, with limited commercialization projected by 2025. By 2029, beyond Li-ion batteries could capture 15% of the market.
Without a doubt, Beyond Li-ion Battery development is currently the focus of many startups and established companies, explains Yole Group in its latest report, Solid-State and Other Beyond Lithium Ion Batteries 2024.
For example, many startups like QuantumScape, Solid Power, SES, Ampcera, Factorial, WeLion, HiNa, and Transimage, as well as established Li-ion battery companies and car makers, such as Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution, CATL, BYD, Gotion, SK On, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda are developing these beyond Li-ion batteries. Semi-solid-state and sodium-ion batteries can generally be integrated into existing lithium-ion production lines as drop-in technology with some modifications, so established companies have a considerable advantage over emerging startups.
In this dynamic context, China leads in semi-solid-state and sodium-ion battery advancements, with major players like CATL, BYD, and Gotion. However, In the solid-state sector, companies across the USA (e.g., QuantumScape, Solid Power, Ampcera), China (Svolt, WeLion), Japan (Toyota, Nissan), South Korea (Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution), and Europe (Renault, Mercedes) are making significant progress.
Shalu Agarwal, Senior Technology & Market Analyst, Power Electronics and Batteries at Yole Group, had the opportunity to discuss with Dr. Sumin Zhu, co-founder and CEO of Ampcera. Ampcera is a U.S.-based innovator and pioneer in the development and commercialization of solid electrolyte materials for safe high energy density, fast charging solid-state batteries.
Today, they invite you to learn more about the current status and future battery trends. This discussion also covers the emergence of beyond Li-ion batteries, new players entering this sector, and the advantages and challenges of commercializing these batteries.
Shalu Agarwal (SA): Please introduce your company and its mission to our audience.
Dr. Sumin Zhu (SZ): My name is Sumin Zhu. I am the co-founder and CEO of Ampcera Inc. Ampcera is headquartered in Silicon Valley in California, with both R&D and manufacturing facilities located in Arizona where the dry desert environment is advantageous for making lithium batteries. Ampcera pioneers in the development and commercialization of solid electrolyte materials to enable solid-state batteries that do not catch fire by replacing flammable liquid electrolytes in conventional lithium-ion batteries with safe solid electrolytes. Solid-state battery technology developed by Ampcera can also double the driving range of EVs and achieve fast charging within 15 minutes, even in the cold winter weather in Chicago. Ampcera’s commercial traction is evidenced by winning more than 200 paying customers and development partners from all over the world, including some of the major automotive OEMs, battery makers, and industrial companies. Ampcera’s mission is to accelerate the commercialization of solid-state batteries through collaborations across the value chain. By delivering the performance, safety, and cost benefits of solid-state batteries, Ampcera aims to empower the future of humanity driven by innovations in mobility, AI, and robotics.
SA: We had the opportunity to interview you a few years ago. What has happened at Ampcera since then? Can you update us on the current status of your activities?
SZ: I would like to thank the Yole Group for conducting these interviews with Ampcera so that our updates on solid-state batteries can be shared with a broader audience. Since our last interview in 2021, Ampcera has made significant progress on its core technology and product development and is now focusing on the commercialization of our products and technology.
We have been partnering with our strategic investor and clean tech industry leader, Hanwha Solutions, to develop solid electrolyte materials for commercial-scale deployment, now at 20 tons per annum capacity. In addition, Ampcera has been collaborating with both GM and Ford through U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored programs to develop solid-state batteries to lower EV adoption barriers such as drive range anxiety, cost, and battery performance under extreme climate conditions. These important partnerships have bolstered both the product development and commercialization progress at Ampcera. Together with our collaborators, Ampcera is charging forward to bringing solid-state batteries to multiple markets in the next 2-5 years.
SA: In your opinion, which types of beyond lithium-ion batteries have the potential to emerge as winners today?
SZ: A variety of next-gen batteries are being developed by many organizations globally. Solid-state batteries, lithium metal batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, and sodium-ion batteries are some of the most heavily invested beyond lithium-ion batteries. Among all of them, solid-state batteries, particularly sulfide-based solid-state batteries, are the most promising technology to emerge as the winner thanks to their superior performance and manufacturability.
For example, earlier in 2024, China announced its more than 830 million dollar investment to develop solid-state batteries with the primary focus on sulfide-based solid-state batteries. Auto makers such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda, BMW, Mercedez-Benz, and battery makers such as CATL, LGES, BYD, Samsung SDI, SK On, and Gotion have all made public announcements about their battery technology and product roadmaps with sulfide-based solid-state batteries being the mainstream step change innovation in the coming years. Those who can win the competition on sulfide-based solid-state batteries may dominate the battery industry and even the automotive industry in the future.
SA: Let us focus on solid-state batteries (SSB), the core business of Ampcera. Can you tell us more about them? What is the underlying technology, and which applications are you targeting?
SZ:
The underlying technology for solid-state batteries is the solid electrolyte technology. Solid electrolytes replace the flammable liquid electrolytes used in conventional lithium-ion batteries to make SSBs safe, energy-dense, and capable of fast charging. Ampcera has developed a strong IP portfolio around the chemistry, design, manufacturing, and use of solid electrolytes and SSBs. For example, Ampcera has developed proprietary technologies for scaled manufacturing of sulfide-based solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity, engineered particle size distribution, and environmental stability.
In addition, Ampcera has developed the all-climate fast-charging SSB technology that enables the use of SSBs in all kinds of climate conditions ranging from below -20°C to above 60°C while being able to be fast-charged to 80% state-of-charge in less than 15 minutes. A wide range of operating temperatures enabled by Ampcera’s SSB technology also helps simplify the battery thermal management system, further increasing the pack-level energy density.
While we continue to work with automotive OEM partners for EV battery applications, Ampcera also targets consumer electronics and government and industrial applications by working with the right end users and cell manufacturing partners. We understand that batteries for EV applications usually take longer to test and qualify than some other applications and are very sensitive to cost. Deploying SSBs for high-value non-EV applications will help further advance the technology and reduce the cost.
SA: Do you think SSBs will be a strong alternative to lithium-ion batteries? And why?
SZ: Currently, the safety, performance, and cost of conventional lithium-ion batteries cannot meet market expectations, and therefore electric vehicles are not as competitive as fossil-fuel-powered vehicles without government subsidies. The challenge is that the chemistry of conventional lithium-ion batteries has almost reached the theoretical limits, and there is little room for further improvement.
In contrast, SSBs offer a step-change improvement in battery safety, performance, and, ultimately, the cost at the system level. This is why automotive companies worldwide have been accelerating their investments and development efforts in SSBs.
SA: When do you see SSBs being commercialized?
SZ: Based on the current progress made by both Ampcera and our development partners, SSBs are likely to be first commercialized for some high-value niche applications between 2027 and 2030 before being implemented in electric vehicles (EVs) on a commercial scale. Prototype EVs powered by SSBs are likely to be available as early as 2027 based on publicly available information announced by some of the largest global automotive companies. Ampcera has been playing an important role in accelerating the commercialization of SSBs by manufacturing and supplying the critical sulfide solid electrolyte materials and developing SSB technology solutions for our partners to make solid-state batteries at a commercial scale.
SA: At Yole Group, we see an extended timeline associated with commercializing this technology. Do you agree with this? Could you explain the unexpected challenges that hinder their market introduction?
SZ: It is not unexpected to see an extended timeline for the commercialization of SSBs. SSBs are made with new chemistry (i.e., solid electrolyte) and require modified formulations of the electrodes and solid electrolyte separator. Innovative processing methods and equipment, such as the dry electrode process and equipment, are being developed for SSBs to achieve high energy density and low manufacturing cost, among other benefits. As with all innovative and disruptive technologies, it takes longer to commercialize than incremental innovations.
On the other hand, the incumbent lithium-ion battery manufacturers have heavily invested in capital expenditures in their existing giga-factories to make conventional lithium-ion batteries. They are not motivated by disruptive technologies such as the SSBs.
Another factor to consider is the lack of an established supply chain for some of the critical precursor materials for sulfide-based solid electrolyte materials. In particular, battery-grade lithium sulfide is not readily available and its cost alone accounts for more than 95% of the cost of raw materials for making sulfide-based solid electrolyte. The good news is that a number of companies, including Ampcera, have developed cost-effective manufacturing processes for lithium sulfide to drive down the cost, which will ultimately lead to the cost advantage of SSBs at commercial scales.
SA: As SSBs require time to achieve mainstream acceptance, do you think semi-solid-state batteries could be a transitional solution between traditional liquid-based lithium-ion and SSBs?
SZ: Semi-solid-state batteries may offer superior energy density when high-capacity anodes such as lithium metal and silicon are used. They combine some of the processing advantages of conventional lithium-ion batteries and the super high capacity of lithium metal and silicon. However, semi-solid-state means the presence of some liquid electrolyte in the battery cells, and the unfavorable reactions between liquid electrolyte and lithium metal or silicon have created some new challenges. While semi-solid-state batteries are promising short-term options, the pursuit of developing all-solid-state batteries is still the main focus across the industry. Ampcera’s products and technologies have been successfully used to make both semi-solid-state and all-solid-state batteries.
SA: Aside from SSBs, what other innovative alternatives to lithium-ion batteries are being developed? Can you describe them and explain why they might be possible solutions in the future?
SZ: Batteries made with earth-abundant elements such as aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium are promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. These elements are readily available, and, therefore, the ultimate cost of producing these materials and the corresponding electrochemical cells and batteries could be very competitive. Some of these alternative chemistry batteries are already under research and development and have shown some promising results. Given more time and resources for development, we will see some successful new battery chemistries commercially available for energy storage applications.
However, due to the limited energy density and performance, these new battery chemistries, such as sodium ion batteries, are not as competitive as lithium batteries, which will continue to be the mainstream energy storage solutions for most applications.
SA: Lithium-ion batteries are currently mainly dominated by Chinese players. Do you think that will also be the case for beyond lithium-ion battery technologies? Who are the main competing countries to follow?
SZ: It is true that Chinese companies have been dominating the manufacturing of conventional lithium-ion batteries thanks to China’s long-term industrial policy support and financial backing of domestic players. In the competition for next-generation battery technologies, Japan, South Korea and the U.S. have been the most active countries outside China.
Both Japan and South Korea have historically been very strong in lithium-ion battery development and manufacturing, and they are naturally motivated to stay ahead of the competition for next-generation batteries.
Among the notable names, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and SK On are all investing heavily in sulfide-based solid-state batteries.
The U.S. is well-known for its innovative technology development, including some of the most important inventions for lithium-ion batteries. Several companies in the U.S. have emerged as technology leaders in the development of beyond lithium-ion battery technologies. The industrial policy of the different countries will have the most important impact on the success of beyond lithium-ion battery technologies. In 2024, China made a bet with a more than 830 million dollar investment to develop solid-state batteries with the primary focus on sulfide-based solid-state batteries.
Also in 2024, the Japanese government along with major automotive and battery companies made a serious investment commitment to develop and produce sulfide-based solid-state batteries in Japan. We hope the U.S. government will make similar or even bigger investments to support domestic solid-state battery developers in scaling up the manufacturing of critical materials and solid-state batteries in the U.S.
SA: Would you like to add a few final words for our readers?
SZ: The trend for the Electrification of Everything will continue. From EVs to AI and robotics, many new and emerging technologies depend on the availability of high-performance battery energy storage as the power source.
Therefore, our future society will be even more reliant on battery energy storage. It is Ampcera’s mission to accelerate the commercialization of high-performance solid-state batteries for the progress of human civilization. Since day one, Ampcera has been focused on this mission, and we sincerely invite partners worldwide to work with us and accomplish this mission together for a sustainable future.
