Many companies are building electric vehicles to reduce climate change through the electrification of mobility and widespread energy transition. EVs use lithium-ion batteries that are getting better and cheaper; however, the battery uses a liquid electrolyte which carries the risk of damage upon impact and even explosion in worse-case scenarios.
Therefore, researchers are tweaking the technology further for greater efficiency and lower cost. Several big car and bike companies are investing heavily in battery research technology. Industry research focuses on developing battery technologies that can give EVs better range, faster charging times, and enhanced performance, reliability, and safety.
Switzerland-based Stromer, a pioneering electric bike brand, and TD Hitech Energy together unveiled their first functional prototype of a next-generation solid ceramic battery for e-bikes at the Eurobike show in Germany. With this release, Stromer sets a milestone as the first bike brand to develop a next-generation solid-state ceramic battery.
Stromer and TD Hitech Energy developed a battery pack that can achieve low-temperature charging capabilities down to -30 °C (with a target of -20 °C). They reduced charging times by using fast chargers’ batteries and aiming to fully charge within 12 minutes, which is approximately ten times faster than conventional lithium batteries.
Solid-state batteries have been used in small electronic devices such as smartwatches. It reduces the risk of damage from external forces as it doesn’t have a chance of explosion or fire. It can be set up more compactly and pack more energy per unit area.
Solid-state batteries represent an unprecedented technology in energy storage and offer many advantages, especially for e-bikes. A solid-state battery can charge much faster than lithium-ion. This battery will allow companies to expand the range of vehicles while making their future e-bikes safer.
Tomi Viiala, Co-CEO of Stromer, states, “As an innovative brand, we strive to be actively engaged in the early stages of research and development for emerging technologies. The solid-state ceramic battery is our holy grail. Although it will take several more years before this technology can be employed in series production due to the current high production costs and limited battery capacity, it holds immense potential for the future. Notably, it offers significant advantages in terms of safety and incredibly fast charging times, estimated to be around 10 times faster than conventional lithium batteries.”
Stromer will focus intensely on further advancing this new generation of batteries. This technology will take a few more years for mass production. But eventually, Solid-state batteries will be a great alternative to lithium-ion batteries used in the e-bike industry as it has many advantages. Solid-state batteries offer several benefits, including higher energy density that can extend the range of EVs, increased safety as they’re less prone to leaks and thermal runaways, and longer lifespan.
