A consortium of UK companies and universities will build a pre-pilot production line for solid-state lithium batteries, aiming to cut electric vehicle charging times from hours to 15–25 minutes. Today’s electric cars rely on liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat, degrade with fast charging, and take too long to refuel. Solid-state batteries replace the liquid with a ceramic or polymer electrolyte, allowing higher energy density and safer operation. The project addresses the gap between lab-scale prototypes and mass manufacturing: no UK facility currently exists to produce solid-state cells reliably and in sufficient quantity for vehicle testing. If successful, the work could reshape the UK’s battery supply chain. Ilika will scale up its micro-battery manufacturing processes to automotive-sized cells. CPI and University College London will develop a method to produce solid-state electrolyte powders at hundreds of tonnes per year—a capability the UK currently lacks. Ricardo will design a battery management system capable of handling 50–350 kW charging rates, demonstrated in a prototype module. Honda will test the cells at its facilities and guide commercial exploitation. The project puts the UK on a path to own the materials and manufacturing know-how for next-generation electric vehicle batteries, rather than importing them.
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"This 30-month collaborative project will develop a Lithium based solid-state battery for plug in hybrid and Electric Vehicles, establish a pre-pilot line for solid-state battery cell technology and develop processes for a new UK based solid-state materials supply chain. The innovative solid-state technology will enable safer, more energy and power dense cells that will facilitate ultra-fast charging (enable a PHEV or BEV driver to charge their car in 15 to 25 minutes) and put the UK on a path to produce materials for the manufacture of solid-state battery cells and packs and in a world leading position to exploit the technology globally. Ilika will apply its solid-state battery development processes to formulate an automotive cell capable of achieving Autocouncil 2025 performance targets in energy density and charge rate. Ricardo will apply its Battery Management system to the solid-state cell and develop the capability to super & ultrafast charge the cells (50 to 350kW charging) demonstrable in a prototype battery module. Ilika will build upon its success of manufacturing micro solid-state batteries and will develop a pre-pilot line to enable prototype cells to be manufactured reliably and consistently to support vehicle development programmes and other solid-sate research undertaken within other research institutions. Using their expertise in Ink formulation and hydro-thermal synthesis, CPI and UCL will develop a UK based production capability that is scalable to hundreds of tonnes per year for the production of solid state electrolyte (SSE) powders, required for making SSB's. This project is supported by Honda who will provide essential exploitation guidance and also will conduct functionality testing at their facilities."
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