UK-based organisations are joining forces to develop a prototype solid-state battery (SSB) under an academic-public-private sector consortium, Kallanish reports.

The group comprises of the Faraday Institution, Britishvolt, Johnson Matthey, Emerson & Renwick, Oxford University, the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre, and the University of Warwick. Their expertise in battery research, development and manufacturing is set to put the UK at the forefront of global efforts to develop innovative automotive technologies, says investment minister Lord Grimstone.

“It is the work of our internationally-renowned research and development base, like hose brought together by this consortium, that will give us the tools needed to forge a strong and sustainable future for the automotive sector and increase our contribution to combatting climate change,” he adds.

While a preliminary design for a prototyping facility has been developed, the consortium is currently seeking funding sources. This facility is planned to enable SSB technology to emerge from UK universities laboratories. Larger cells will then be produced using scalable manufacturing techniques, enabling testing of prototypes and a “deep investigation” of problems emerging during manufacture and testing of these batteries.

It’s unclear when the facility will be built or the prototype ready. Yet, the cooperation will benefit from extensive research from the Faraday Institution’s SOBALT project, led by Oxford University.

“There are fundamental scientific challenges that need to be addressed before high power SSBs with commercially relevant performance can be realised,” says Faraday, forecasting that these next-generation batteries will account for a 4% share in the EV battery market.

SSBs, which are set to provide higher energy density, longer range and lower safety-management costs than lithium-ion batteries, are expected to be deployed first in consumer electronics, niche automotive applications, before used in broader EV markets.

Citing third-party data, the Faraday Institution estimates global SBBs revenues to EV manufacturers to reach $8 billion by 2030 and then “grow rapidly to 2040 and 2050 when the market is expected to become extensive.”