Samsung Has Just Revolutionized Electric Car Batteries, Improving Their Range, Charging Time, and Lifespan

Samsung has recently revealed a solid-state battery for electric cars that boasts some potentially industry-transforming specifications, according to AutoEVTimes:

• 600 miles of range on a single charge
• Recharges in nine minutes
• 20 years of service life

Why this matters. This technology addresses some of the major hurdles to the widespread adoption of electric cars, including limited range, lengthy charging times, and battery durability issues.

More from Xataka On

There’s a New Speed Record for an Electric Car: 270 Mph, Japanese, and Possibly Prohibitively Expensive

Some context:

• The automotive industry is currently moving towards electrification, and some governments are setting deadlines for this transition.
• Giants such as BYD and CATL are leading in battery production volume.
• Samsung is focusing on innovation to differentiate itself and capture more market share.

Key points:

• Energy density of 500 Wh/kg, which is almost double the current average of 270 Wh/kg.
• It uses solid electrolytes instead of liquid, improving safety and reducing the risk of leaks and fires.
• It’s lighter and more compact, offering new design possibilities for car manufacturers.
• It initially targets the “super premium” segment of electric cars.
• Mass production is planned for 2027.

Technical innovations. The new batteries include a silver-carbon composite layer at the anode, which is only 5 μm thick and solves common problems with lithium metal anodes. This allows for a thinner anode and increases the overall energy density.

Some perspective. Samsung isn’t alone in this race. Manufacturers such as CATL and other Chinese companies are developing technologies similar to the one announced by the South Korean company, albeit with some difficulty.

This type of project is often referred to as the “million-mile battery,” in reference to a much desired battery with a long service life. The wait for this battery has been long. If Samsung succeeds in bringing these batteries to mass production and gradually lowering their price, it could be a turning point in the history of the automotive industry, accelerating the mass adoption of electric cars.

This article was written by Javier Lacort and originally published in Spanish on Xataka.

Image | Michael Fousert

Related | ‘That Doesn’t Hold Up in the Electric Era’: Ford Explains Why It Wants to Either Sell Expensive Gas Cars or Small EVs