QuantumScape, the American solid-state battery pioneer, has made a significant development in its quest to introduce its first commercial product to the automotive industry. In a recent investor letter, the company announced that it is collaborating with a potential launch customer, although the identity of this partner remains undisclosed. QuantumScape’s previous partnership with Volkswagen has sparked speculation about the automaker’s involvement, but no confirmation has been provided yet.
The key objective of this collaboration is to fast-track the entry of QuantumScape’s cutting-edge solid-state battery technology into the electric vehicle market. The company firmly believes that its technology, capable of delivering longer range, higher power output, and faster charging times, will empower automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to differentiate their EV offerings significantly.
In late 2022, QuantumScape took a crucial step by delivering the first prototypes of its 24-layer solid-state battery cells to various automakers for testing purposes, including Volkswagen. The latest development of the company’s solid-state battery involves a new cathode design, enabling more active cathode material to be accommodated within the same area. This advancement allows for a charge of 5 mAh per square centimeter, surpassing QuantumScape’s previous cathode capacity of 3.1 mAh/cm2 and even outperforming the cathodes used in commercial cells, such as the Tesla Model Y’s 2170 battery cell (~4.3 mAh/cm2).
The forthcoming commercial product, designated as QSE-5, will boast a charge capacity of approximately 5 Ah and offer an impressive energy density of over 800 Wh/L. Moreover, the battery can be charged from ten to 80 percent in just about 15 minutes, a remarkable feat in the world of electric mobility.
QuantumScape acknowledges the significance of its current progress, acknowledging that successful execution of its product roadmap will necessitate overcoming various technical and manufacturing challenges. Despite the hurdles ahead, the company is confident that the QSE-5 battery sets new standards for EV performance and marks a paradigm shift in battery development.
See also: EVs with All-Solid-State Batteries Set for Mass Production by 2030, Doubling Range from Today
As QuantumScape continues its work in collaboration with the unnamed launch partner, the electric vehicle industry eagerly awaits the potential game-changing advancements that the company’s solid-state battery technology could bring. Delivering on their promises would indeed revolutionize the EV landscape and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles globally.