Hyundai's solid-state battery ready for test production

Hyundai is about to unveil its all-solid-state EV battery pilot line next month. The new battery technology promises much better range, quicker charging times and reduced weight. And it has been promised for as long as the EVs have been around. Are we there yet?

Hyundai has big plans for the EV battery market. It announced a substantial investment of over $9 billion over the next decade to develop different types of batteries. This includes lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) batteries, and the highly anticipated all-solid-state batteries.

Industry sources suggest that Hyundai will hold an opening ceremony in March for its next-generation battery research center in Uiwang, South Korea. This center houses the all-solid-state EV battery pilot line, which will be revealed to the public for the first time at the ceremony. Representatives from other major players in the automotive industry, including GM, which recently expanded its EV partnership with Hyundai, are expected to attend. Full-scale production on the pilot line will start next month. Rumors are circulating that a prototype EV powered by these new batteries could be unveiled by the end of 2025.

This pilot line will serve as a testing ground for the new battery technology. All-solid-state batteries are often called the "Dream" batteries because of their potential to offer better range, faster charging, higher energy density, and improved safety compared to current battery options. However, these batteries face challenges. Making them stable and manufacturing them efficiently has proven difficult.

Hyundai's goal is to start mass production of all-solid-state batteries around 2030, with the first EVs featuring this technology hitting the roads shortly after. This unveiling follows Honda's recent announcement of its own all-solid-state EV battery pilot line in November.

While a pilot line is a small-scale operation, it's a giant leap for Hyundai. Currently, like many other automakers, Hyundai sources its batteries from companies like CATL, SK On, and LG Energy Solution. By producing batteries in-house, Hyundai could gain a competitive advantage.

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