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In China, battery specialist WeLion has delivered its first semi-solid-state battery cells to electrical automotive producer Nio. Nio will use the cells in its 150 kWh battery pack and is aiming for the primary deliveries of e-cars with these battery packs earlier than the top of July.
At a ceremony final week, the primary supply of cells is alleged to have been realised, a assure dedication on the a part of WeLion and an “annual order” signed, stories the portal CN EV Submit close to a press launch of the battery producer. There isn’t a data on the amount or worth of the order. Initially, the beginning of cell provide was deliberate for 2022. After a number of delays, William Li, chairman and CEO of Nio, confirmed for the primary time on the finish of Could that the 150 kWh semi-solid-state battery pack can be accessible in July.
Li stated this within the context of the revealing of the brand new ES6 – and in addition talked about that the ES6 with the brand new battery would handle a spread of 930 kilometres based on Chinese language requirements. Earlier statements by Nio additionally promised over 1,000 kilometres within the ET7 and 850 kilometres within the ES8 – though right here nonetheless based on NEDC.
Just a few key factors are identified concerning the 150-kWh battery pack itself. The system presents an vitality density of 360 Wh/kg and Nio autos outfitted with it are stated to weigh “solely 20 kilograms greater than earlier than”, as CN EV Submit writes close to earlier registration paperwork. The semi-solid-state cells themselves have a strong electrolyte, an anode materials made from a silicon graphite composite and a cathode with “ultra-high” nickel content material.
The portal additionally quotes Qin Lihong, co-founder and president of Nio, who’s reported to have stated at an occasion in February that “the 150 kWh battery pack prices about as a lot as an ET5 sedan“. Costs of the mannequin at the moment begin at 298,000 yuan (slightly below 38,000 euros). Nonetheless, based on Lihong, the pack won’t be accessible for buy at first, however just for lease.
That is a part of the producer’s enterprise precept: since all Nio fashions are suitable with the corporate’s personal battery swap know-how, prospects also can swap the battery mannequin afterwards. Initially, this was not attainable; solely batteries of the identical sort could possibly be exchanged. Nonetheless, after a pilot challenge, Nio introduced in December 2021 that prospects can improve their battery packs month-to-month as wanted. At the moment, there are packs with 75 or 100 kWh.
On the present supply ceremony, Zeng Shizhe, Vice President of Nio Battery Programs, is quoted as saying that the supply of this Li-ion battery cell is nice information for all Nio homeowners who can proceed to take pleasure in the advantages of the battery improve. “At this time’s supply is only a small step within the joint improvement of WeLion and Nio, and hopefully this small step will result in a giant know-how leap for the entire business.”
Beijing-based battery specialist WeLion started manufacturing of the primary semi-solid-state battery cell in December 2022 at its battery manufacturing unit in Huzhou, East China’s Zhejiang province. The corporate had accomplished the development of the plant inside a yr. In March this yr, WeLion additionally heralded the development of one other manufacturing unit for hybrid battery cells with strong and liquid electrolyte in addition to for pure solid-state battery cells in Zibo within the jap Chinese language province of Shandong. On the supply ceremony, WeLion additionally introduced {that a} analysis and improvement centre had gone into operation in Huzhou.
In the meantime, the partnership with Nio is just not unique. In accordance with an earlier assertion by Tian Qiyou, common supervisor of WeLion’s Huzhou manufacturing unit, WeLion needs to work with “main worldwide automakers” to make sure that “subsequent mass manufacturing progresses steadily as deliberate”. Nonetheless, WeLion didn’t specify which carmakers these are.
cnevpost.com