BERLIN: The latest generation of electric vehicle (EV) batteries expected to reach customers by 2025 hold more energy, achieve extended driving range and charge quickly.
These batteries powered by the latest silicon-based electrodes are slated to go into production next year in central Washington state.
The two startup companies, Group14 Technologies and Sila Nanotechnologies, are focusing on developing new silicon applications to supplement and replace graphite in battery anodes.
Seven-year-old Group14 said it has started constructing a commercial facility in Moses Lake for its SCC55 silicon-carbon powder.
When the plant starts in 2024, it will have the fast capacity to produce enough anode material for up to 200,000 electric vehicles, with plans to triple capacity to meet the still-growing demand.
Group 14’s first automotive customer is Porsche, one of many corporate investors, and TDK’s Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), BASF, and SK Inc. The company so far has increased 650 million dollars.
According to Rick Luebbe, CEO, and co-founder, Group14’s joint-venture plant in Korea with battery maker SK was scheduled to open this year.
According to Gene Berdichevsky, CEO, and co-founder, Sila Nano plans to start production of its Titan Silicon nano-composite anode material next year at the facility in Moses Lake,
Mercedes-Benz is scheduled to be the initial automotive customer in 2025, beginning with its EQG electric SUV. Sila has increased more than 900 million dollars, with Mercedes-Benz, ATL, and Siemens among its corporate investors.
The strong demand for silicon-rich anodes means “we’re under pressure to go bigger and faster,” Luebbe said. Even with the plants in Washington and Korea coming online, “We’ve more demand than we can support.”
Berdichevsky said that “it will take more than ten years” for silicon to replace graphite as the main ingredient in anodes.
