Chinese Startup Unveils Record-breaking High-Density Solid-State Battery

Chongqing - Talent New Energy, a startup in Chongqing, China, recently announced progress in developing vehicle-grade all-solid-state lithium batteries through its WeChat public account.

Talent New Energy is a startup company registered in 2021 that received several funding rounds in the Chinese stock market. (Photo/Talent New Energy)

Talent claims to have developed an ultra-high-energy-density all-solid-state lithium battery with a single cell capacity of 120Ah and a measured energy density of 720Wh/kg, setting an industry record for lithium battery capacity and energy density.

Scientists generally agree that conventional liquid lithium-ion batteries have reached their energy limit. The future of battery development involves replacing traditional electrolytes with solid-state electrolytes. Solid-state batteries offer higher energy density per weight and better thermal stability in their electrolytes, enhancing battery safety during operation.

For comparison, IM, a new energy brand of SAIC Motor, plans to release a car with an "ultra-fast charging solid-state battery" at 368Wh/kg, considered a semi-solid-state battery by the industry. Mainstream lithium iron phosphate batteries offer around 90-120Wh/kg, while ternary lithium batteries reach 150-200kW/kg.

This implies that electric vehicles utilizing solid-state batteries of the same size can achieve greater driving ranges. SAIC's semi-solid-state battery is touted to enable a range of over 1,000km. If this holds true, Talent's new battery could extend the car's range to 2,000km.

Meanwhile, solid-state batteries are resistant to high temperatures and enable faster charging. Range and charging speed are key challenges driving electric vehicle development in the industry.

Talent New Energy did not disclose details such as the battery's mass production timeline and pricing in the announcement. It's anticipated that some time will pass before its official market launch.