Huawei claims that its new solid-state battery for electric vehicles offers a range of 1,800 miles and charges in under 5 minutes, although some doubts arise.
A major Chinese manufacturer has joined the list of automotive companies exploring solid-state battery options.
Huawei has filed patents for the development of solid-state batteries based on sulfur, which could enable a range of up to 3,000 km. Additionally, the company suggests that these batteries could be charged in less than five minutes. This advancement adds to the growing list of automakers and technology companies researching the benefits of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, including brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, VW, BYD, and Stellantis.
According to gathered information, the tech giant has registered a patent that describes a solid-state battery architecture with energy densities ranging from 400 to 500 Wh/kg, a figure that triples the capacity of current electric vehicle batteries. Although Huawei does not yet manufacture its own branded vehicles in China, it collaborates with various manufacturers to implement some of its technologies in cars.
The patent document details a method that uses nitrogen to "dope" sulfur electrolytes in order to control side reactions at the lithium interface. However, the company keeps the rest of its technology under wraps, as the competition to safely and scalably mass produce solid-state batteries is intense.
The data proposed by Huawei regarding the range of 1,864 miles and the ability to charge from 10% to 80% in less than five minutes has generated skepticism among industry experts. Professor Yang Min-ho from Dankook University comments that while these results may be achievable under laboratory conditions, replicating them in real-world scenarios, where thermal management and energy loss are major factors, would be "extremely difficult."
In this context, it is observed that China is in a privileged position within the electric vehicle sector, highlighting innovations that could transform the transportation landscape. However, while the country is expected to be a pioneer in this technology, many believe that it will not materialize as quickly as some companies hope.
The possibility of achieving energy densities between 400 and 500 Wh/kg would pave the way for the production of more compact batteries that offer considerable range without the need for large, expensive battery packs. As electric vehicles achieve ranges of 600 miles on a single charge, range anxiety becomes a lesser issue, especially with the expansion and improvement of public charging infrastructure.
