The future of electric vehicles just took a major leap forward. QuantumScape, a leading developer of solid-state battery technology, has successfully completed a critical endurance test, exceeding industry standards and showcasing the immense potential of this game-changing innovation.
The test, conducted by PowerCo SE, the Volkswagen Group‘s battery company, involved subjecting QuantumScape’s solid-state cell to over 1,000 charging cycles. This translates to a potential driving range of over 500,000 kilometers (310,000 miles) for an electric car with a 500-600 kilometer WLTP range, all while maintaining 95% of its initial capacity.
These results are significantly beyond the industry standard for this development phase, which typically targets 700 cycles and a maximum capacity loss of 20%. Furthermore, the cell performed exceptionally well in other crucial areas like fast-charging capability, safety, and self-discharge, solidifying its potential to revolutionize the EV landscape.
“These are very encouraging results that impressively underpin the potential of the solid-state cell,” stated Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo. “The final result of this development could be a battery cell that enables long ranges, can be charged super-quickly, and practically does not age. We are convinced of the solid-state cell and are continuing to work at full speed with our partner QuantumScape towards series production.”
Jagdeep Singh, Founder & CEO of QuantumScape, echoed the enthusiasm: “These results from the Volkswagen Group’s PowerCo testing make clear that QuantumScape’s anodeless solid-state lithium-metal cells are capable of exceptional performance. While we have more work to do to bring this technology to market, we are not aware of any other automotive-format lithium-metal battery that has shown such high discharge energy retention over a comparable cycle count under similar conditions. We’re excited to be working closely with the Volkswagen Group and PowerCo to industrialize this technology and bring it to market as quickly as possible.”
The tested cell, already resembling the planned series version with its 24 layers, marks a significant milestone on the path to commercialization. The next crucial step is to perfect and scale up the manufacturing processes, paving the way for widespread adoption of this groundbreaking technology.
This achievement comes on the heels of Volkswagen’s commitment to solidify its position as a leader in the electric vehicle revolution. PowerCo, established in 2022, plays a central role in this strategy, managing international factory operations, cell technology development, and value chain integration. With the potential of solid-state batteries, PowerCo and the Volkswagen Group are poised to further disrupt the automotive industry and shape the future of sustainable mobility.
Key takeaways:
- QuantumScape’s solid-state cell surpasses industry standards in endurance test, achieving over 1,000 cycles with minimal capacity loss.
- This translates to a potential range of over 500,000 km for EVs, significantly exceeding current limitations.
- The cell demonstrates exceptional performance in fast-charging, safety, and self-discharge, further highlighting its potential.
- Volkswagen and PowerCo remain committed to bringing this technology to market, with efforts focused on perfecting and scaling up the manufacturing process.
- Solid-state batteries have the potential to revolutionize the EV industry and propel Volkswagen to the forefront of sustainable mobility.
This news undoubtedly marks a pivotal moment in the development of electric vehicles, offering a glimpse into a future where range anxiety becomes a relic of the past and sustainable driving takes center stage.
