BAIC BJEV makes headway in development of solid-state batteries

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- BAIC BluePark New Energy Technology Co.,Ltd., the parent company of BAIC BJEV, has made some progress in the development of solid-state EV batteries and has tested the batteries in complete vehicles, the company revealed at a social platform of Shanghai Stock Exchange.

The company has not responded to a request for comment when the report is prepared.

Beijing EU7; photo credit: BAIC BJEV

BAIC BJEV attempts to build an electric drive system that embraces multiple energy resources like lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries and fuel cell batteries, according to a development planning targeting the next decade launched by the company in early 2020.

As for a traditional battery design, two solid metal electrodes are used with a liquid lithium salt acting as an electrolyte. In a solid-state battery, both the positive and negative electrodes and the electrolyte between them are solid pieces of metal, alloy, or some other synthetic material.  

BAIC BJEV believes the solid-state batteries boast a safer experience over their liquid-filled cousins since there is no flammable liquid to spill, and they don't generate as much heat as conventional rechargeable batteries. Besides, under the same energy capacity, the solid-state battery is smaller and flatter than the conventional one, thus it can store more energy within the limited chassis space to offer longer range.

The company began the development of solid-state battery technologies as far back as 2017. In July 30, 2020, BAIC BJEV's first all-electric prototype vehicle powered by solid-state battery system rolled off the production line.

By the end of 2019, BAIC BJEV had sold over 500,000 full-electric vehicles (BEVs).

Nevertheless, the company faced a sharp downturn this year. For the first eleven months, it sold only 24,877 new cars, representing a year-on-year plunge of 78.18%.