Thermally Modulated Solid-State Batteries for Ultra-Safe Fast-Charging Electric Vehicles

Heatable solid-state batteries (SSBs) have the potential to enable high energy density and ultra-safe fast charging in electric vehicles (EVs) during cold weather overcoming many of the consumer acceptance barriers hindering widespread adoption. With proper material and system optimization, they are expected to reach desired charging rates of 4C or higher with 80% capacity retention at ambient temperatures well below -20 °C. But conventional thermal management external heating systems are costly and add weight to EV battery packs negating any low-cost high-energy-density advantages SSBs have to offer. Therefore, to meet the challenges laid out by the EVs4ALL program, Ampcera is teaming up with EC power to develop a thermally modulated SSB pouch cell prototype that will enable the benefits of EV to be enjoyed by all Americans. EC Power’s thermal modulation system has a proven track record and was used in conventional lithium batteries to power buses during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The SSB prototype is expected to reach a capacity of ≥3.5 Ah (4”x 2” in size) with an energy density of ≥400 Wh kg. Combining EC Power’s patented thermally modulated cell technology with Ampcera’s patent-pending SSB (Figure 1), charging rates of 4C (15-minutes) with 80% capacity retention after 1000 cycles can be achieved at low temperatures (-20 °C and below). Cell performance will be validated at Ford Motor Company using OEM protocol testing. The merging of these technologies into a single transformative SSB concept will enable the goals of both the EVs4ALL program and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 to be achieved.