LG Energy Solution plans to commercialize ‘lithium-sulfur battery’ and ‘all-solid-state battery’ starting from 2025. Both batteries are seen as next-generation batteries that will replace lithium-ion batteries that are currently the most used batteries. This is the first time that LG Energy Solution revealed its roadmap and plan for development and commercialization of next-generation batteries in detail. Choi Seung-don, who is the head of LG Energy Solution’s Electric Vehicle Development Center, stated that his company plans to commercialize the two batteries starting from 2025 during his keynote speech at ‘Battery Day 2021’ that was held by the Electronic Times on Wednesday. He said that his company plans to commercialize lithium-sulfur battery by the end of 2025 and all-solid-state battery sometime between 2025 and 2027.
Lithium-sulfur battery’s greatest advantage is its light weight. Due to its light weight, it is expected to be applicable for flying objects such as UAM (urban air mobility). LG Energy Solution stated that it is also looking into using lithium-sulfur batteries for electric vehicles as well. “Although lithium-sulfur batteries will first be used for flying objects such as drones first, we are considering using the batteries for electric vehicles as well.” said Choi. “There is a chance that lithium-sulfur batteries will be commercialized earlier than all-solid-state batteries.”
Light weight and competitive price are the two main reasons why LG Energy Solution is looking into using lithium-sulfur batteries as electric vehicle batteries. Because sulfur is an abundant resource, it can help lower electric vehicle production cost. Because its energy density per weight is also 1.5 times greater than lithium-ion battery, it can also provide higher performance than lithium-ion batteries.
LG Energy Solution succeeded in operating an unmanned air vehicle equipped with a lithium-sulfur battery at the highest altitude of the stratosphere for 13 hours last year and showed that it was accelerating the speed of lithium-sulfur battery development process. Choi stated that his company plans to mass-produce all-solid-state batteries, which are seen as ‘dream batteries’ starting from 2025 at the earliest or 2027. He told the audience of the Battery Day 2021 that his company is currently conducting development of sulfur-based all-solid-state battery and high-polymer all-solid-state battery technologies at the same time.
Because all-solid-state batteries use solid electrolyte instead of liquid electrolyte, they drastically lower any risk of fire or explosion. They do not cause any concern about ignition, which is the biggest problem of lithium-ion batteries, and they have rapidly emerged as the perfect electric vehicle batteries due to their high energy density. “Although we believe that it will take some time before all-solid-state batteries are commercialized as the batteries require technology innovation, we are actively working on R&D.” said Choi with emphasis.
LG Energy Solution’s goal is to become the top company in the electric vehicle battery market. Its plan is to become the world’s top energy solution company by making at least $27 billion (30 trillion KRW) in sales by 2024. At the Battery Day 2021, Choi also introduced his company’s strategies for its battery business according to expansion of the electric vehicle market in detail. LG Energy Solution plans to introduce high-nickel NCMA batteries with 80% nickel content and silicon-based anode materials for large and full-sized luxury electric vehicles. For medium-sized electric vehicles, it plans to establish a portfolio of batteries with about 65% nickel content. Choi said that his company also plans to target small electric vehicles with cathode materials that are 10 to 20% cheaper and dry electrode process starting from 2023.
“LG Energy Solution plans to secure 260GWh production capacity by 2023 which will be the world’s highest battery production capacity.” said Choi. “By continuing to work and invest in advanced technologies according to the rapid transition to electrification, we plan to respond efficiently to our customers.”
Staff Reporter Yun, Geonil | benyun@etnews.com & Staff Reporter Kim, Jiwoong | jw0316@etnews.com