Ducati debuts solid-state cells
By Ben Purvis
Solid-state battery technology has widely been touted as a game-changer for the future of electric vehicles - offering improved safety, faster charging, improved energy-density and reduced weight compared to existing lithium-ion chemistries - and Ducati's V21L MotoE bike has become a rolling testbed for the technology as it's developed by the company's parent, the VW Group.
The prototype V21L with solid-state cells was unveiled at the IAA Mobility show in Munich in September as the first vehicle to be fitted with VW's solid-state tech, developed by its subsidiary PowerCo and made in cooperation with battery maker QuantumScape.
VW is just one of many brands working on solid-state battery tech, something Honda is also hard at work on, with the aim having solid-state batteries in production vehicles, including electric motorcycles, by 2030. The tech improves on existing lithium-ion batteries by replacing the liquid electrolyte - which is flammable in current designs, and becomes a limiting factor on performance as it must be kept within a limited temperature range - with a solid alternative. Since the new electrolyte is solid it also anchors the anode and cathode in the battery, allowing it to be more compact, and in the event of a crash or battery damage the electrolyte can't spill and there's less chance of an internal short-circuit. The solid is non-flammable even if there is a short, so shouldn't contribute to a fire.
Most importantly from a user's perspective, as well as being smaller and lighter, the batteries can be charged faster because the solid electrolyte can cope with higher temperatures. In the prototype V21L, the solid-state cells can be charged from 10% to 80% in only 12 minutes. Not quite as quick as filling a fuel tank, but getting much closer.
The Ducati prototype uses 980 of the prototype cells, with a lithium metal anode and a ceramic separator, which are intended to be in mass production by the end of this decade.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali said: "At Ducati, we have a long history of pushing the boundaries of technology to improve the riding experience both on the road and on the racetrack. Our pursuit of innovation has allowed us to achieve incredible results, including the record of six consecutive MotoGP Constructors' titles. The high energy density achieved with solid state technology is a perfect fit for a high-performance vehicle like a sport motorcycle."
VW Group Board Member for Technology Thomas Schmall explained: "The solid-state battery has the potential to become a game changer in e-mobility. Together with our partner QuantumScape, we aim to industrialise the technology and to take the next step towards series production. With PowerCo's Unified Cell, we have created the perfect match: it is 'solid state-ready' and enables rapid technology transfer to the Group's vehicles as soon as the solid-state battery is ready. The Group's battery strategy is pioneering and at the same time offers unprecedented economies of scale."
QuantumScape CEO Siva Sivaram said: "Today, QuantumScape solid-state batteries moved closer to commercial reality. For more than a decade, we've worked closely with the Volkswagen Group to advance our breakthrough technology that delivers the range, fast charging, and safety that EV drivers want. Our focus now is on bringing this technology to market and redefining what high-performance electric mobility can be."
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