Competition between South Korea and China over high-performance battery technology is intensifying, as the global electric vehicle (EV) market slowdown begins to bottom out.
According to industry sources Tuesday, Korean battery makers are accumulating technology for products capable of driving more than 1,000 kilometers on a full charge and are reviewing commercialization timelines. Some forecasts suggest practical deployment could begin around 2030.
That would far exceed the capabilities of current EVs, which typically travel 400-600 kilometers per charge.
(Samsung SDI)
Samsung SDI Co. aims to begin mass production next year of all-solid-state batteries with an energy density of up to 900 watt-hours per liter (Wh/L), the fastest roadmap among Korea’s three major battery makers.
Industry estimates suggest 900 Wh/L would support driving ranges of about 1,000 kilometers per charge. Current EV batteries average about 600 Wh/L, implying more than a 50 percent improvement.
SK on Co. is focusing on lithium-metal batteries, which are emerging as a high-density alternative. The batteries replace graphite with lithium in the anode, allowing greater energy storage than conventional cells.
SK on plans to establish a pilot production line for lithium-metal batteries next year. It aims to unveil a prototype with an energy density of 1,165 Wh/L in 2028 and begin commercialization in 2031.
LG Energy Solution Ltd. partnered with Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in 2024 to develop lithium-metal battery technology capable of enabling more than 800 kilometers of driving range per charge. The company is currently focusing on improving range and reducing charging times.
“The higher the density, the more energy can be stored in the same amount of space, which naturally increases driving range,” said an industry official. “As demand for premium vehicles rises after the market slowdown, competition over high-density batteries is becoming fiercer.”
China is also stepping up its push into ultra-long-range batteries.
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL) recently unveiled a nickel-cobalt-manganese battery capable of powering sedans for up to 1,500 kilometers and sport utility vehicles for up to 1,000 kilometers per charge. The battery weighs 625 kilograms, about 29 percent lighter than comparable lithium iron phosphate batteries, suggesting improved efficiency and reduced size.
However, an industry official said China’s certification standards typically measure range about 20 percent higher than South Korean or U.S. methods, implying the battery’s actual energy density may be closer to 700 to 800 Wh/L.
BYD Co. this year launched its second-generation Blade battery, which the company says can charge in nine minutes and deliver up to 1,000 kilometers of driving range per charge.
댓글
0