Chinese lithium metal giant Ganfeng Lithium has begun producing what it calls the world’s first 10 Ah solid-state batteries with an energy density of 500 Wh/kg. The lithium giant has supply deals with Tesla, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and several other major OEMs for key EV battery materials.

Ganeng Lithium advances solid-state EV batteries

Ganfeng is China’s largest lithium compounds producer and the world’s leading lithium metals manufacturer. It accounts for roughly 45% of the global lithium metal market and 70% in China.

The company has secured deals with Tesla, Hyundai, BMW, Volkswagen, and several leading Chinese automakers to supply key EV battery materials.

Most recently, Ganfeng and Hyundai signed a four-year deal to supply lithium hydroxide, a critical raw material for EV batteries.

Ganfeng offers a full range of lithium battery products, including solid-state batteries and lithium iron phosphate for EVs, energy storage systems, industrial equipment, and more.

In an investor update released on Wednesday, the company revealed its latest milestone. Gangfeng said it began small-scale production of the “world’s first” 10Ah lithium metal solid-state battery with an energy density of 500 Wh/kg.

Ganfeng headquarters R&D Center (Source: Ganfeng)

Ganfeng is advancing two unique approaches to solid-state battery technology: silicon-based and lithium metal anodes.

The 500 Wh/kg uses lithium metal anodes, while its silicon-based solid-state battery achieves an energy density of 400 Wh/kg.

In the update, Gangfeng said the cycle life of 400 Wh/kg batteries had exceeded 1,100 cycles and were ready for large-scale production.

(Source: Autohome)

During China’s All-Solid-State Battery Innovation and Development Summit Forum earlier this year, company officials announced they had developed a “zero-strain” lithium alloy anode and a sulfur cathode that improves both electrochemical and thermal stability while preventing unwanted lithium movement.

According to previous reports, the lithium alloy anode expanded by only 3% to 5% during a full charge-and-discharge cycle and passed both the nail penetration and heating tests, surviving temperatures as high as 250°C (482°F).

(Source: Gangfeng Lithium)

Ganfeng said the company hopes its “efforts in lithium alloy anodes can contribute to the industrialization of high-energy-density all-solid-state batteries.”

The lithium maker already has ties to several automakers pursuing solid-state batteries, including China’s Dongfeng and Changan.

Electrek’s Take

Ganfeng’s “zero-strain” lithium alloy anode is the latest in a series of breakthroughs and recent developments in solid-state EV batteries.

Earlier this year, China’s FAW Group said it had installed the “industry’s first” lithium-rich manganese semi-solid-state EV battery in a vehicle. The company said that the cell energy density tops 500 Wh/kg, while the total battery pack capacity is 142 kWh, unlocking over 1,000 km (620 miles) of CLTC range.

Several major automakers and battery manufacturers, including BYD, CATL, Volkswagen, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and more, are planning to begin producing solid-state batteries on a small scale around 2027 or 2028, with mass production closer toward the end of the decade.

While solid-state batteries are often called the “holy grail” of EV battery tech, promising considerably higher energy density, longer driving range, and faster charging, they are only one part of the puzzle.

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP), sodium-ion, and other batteries are proving to be lower-cost, safer, and longer-lasting.

One thing is certain: Electric vehicles will continue to become more efficient, safer, more affordable, and longer-lasting as new battery tech enters the mainstream.

In fact, they already are. Look at BYD’s new Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging tech, which deliver over 1,000 km (621 miles) of CLTC range and fast charging in as little as 5 minutes. What’s next? We’ll find out soon.

Source: IT Home, Gangfeng Lithium