Ford and BMW-backed Solid Power, Inc., a US developer of solid-state battery cells for electric vehicles (EVs), has completed installation of its pilot production line which is designed to produce EV-scale solid-state cells. Solid Power intends to produce silicon EV cells for internal testing before delivering cells to its automotive partners BMW and Ford.
Solid Power’s Silicon EV Cells are designed to power longer-range, lower-cost and safer electric vehicles.
By using over 50% active silicon in the anode, Solid Power has designed the cell for increased energy density, which is expected to offer longer driving ranges to address range anxiety.
When running at full capacity, Solid Power’s EV cell pilot line is expected to be capable of producing 300 cells per week, or approximately 15,000 cells per year, with the majority of those being planned for automotive qualification testing.
Doug Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of Solid Power, says: “Solid Power is encouraged by taking this next step on its automotive qualification roadmap. The installation of this EV cell pilot line will allow us to produce EV-scale cells suitable for initiating the formal automotive qualification process. Over the coming quarters, we will work to bring the EV cell pilot line up to its full operational capability and look forward to delivering EV-scale all-solid-state cells to our partners later this year.”
Derek Johnson, Chief Operating Officer at Solid Power, adds: “With the EV cell pilot line now installed, our next big challenge is commencing production at scale and building cells that meet the requirements necessary for us to enter into automotive qualification later this year.”
Initially investing in Solid Power in 2019, Ford has made an additional equity investment to help accelerate further development of solid-state vehicle battery technology, contributing to a $130 million Series B investment round in which the BMW Group becomes an equal equity owner with Ford.
