Solid-state lithium-metal batteries promise longer range, faster charging, and greater safety for EVs. Will Hudson, VP of Product at QuantumScape, will share recent advances, commercialization strategies (including partnerships like PowerCo) and how these next-gen batteries could transform electric transportation.

Lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs), adopting Li metal as the anode and NMC811 as the cathode, are promising for much higher energy density than that of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the interfacial issues of such LMBs rooted in the anode and cathode are very challenging and hindering the Li||NMC811 LMBs from commercialization. We recently found that addressing these interfacial issues synergically paves a technically feasible route for accomplishing the best performance of LMBs.

This presentation will introduce BMW’s different electric vehicle battery generations as well as our competence centers (battery cell and cell manufacturing competence centers). The talk will then present two stories that highlight important aspects of cell design: (i) the trade-off of energy/power and (ii) the electrolyte motion induced salt inhomogeneity phenomenon and its proposed mechanism in cylindrical cells.

Binders and additives, though a small part of anode compositions, play a crucial role in achieving a long cycle life. This is especially vital for silicon-containing anodes, where materials like SiOx, Si/C, or Si are employed to enhance storage capacity. Evolving binder chemistries and innovative structural additives, such as Anteo X, aim to minimise inactive materials, pushing silicon anodes forward with significant cycle improvements.

The development of advanced US-patented cathode materials is critical to establishing next generation domestic energy storage technologies. Wildcat Discovery Technologies will highlight breakthrough performance of Disordered Rocksalt (DRX) cathode materials. This high energy density cathode is low cost and cobalt- and nickel-free. Wildcat has significantly improved performance in cycle life, voltage fade, and resistance growth while maintaining high energy density. We will report on the specific capacity and capacity/energy retention achieved for several DRX materials. The material has also been demonstrated with roll to roll coating and multi-layer pouch cells. Initial hot box safety testing relative to NMC will also be shown. This work provides promising performance of DRX cathodes – such that US cell manufacturers should add this material to their product roadmaps.

1. NVPF-HC: A new sodium-ion solution for high power battery applications Designed for demanding use cases such as automotive hybridization and grid services.

2 Product strategy and market positioning: How TIAMAT targets high-power segments with a sustainable, lithium-free alternative.

3. Vision for sodium-ion in the automotive sector and the role of sodium-ion technology in tomorrow’s hybrid mobility.

The sustainable Li-ion battery industry requires a cathode material that delivers an energy density higher than that of Ni-based oxide materials while potentially maintaining a low cost similar to that of LiFePO₄. This new material is expected to have a minimal environmental footprint and require less energy for manufacturing. This material should avoid the usage of Ni and Co and benefit from and support the domestic supply chain of battery materials. Here, we offer a new family of cathode materials that offer exactly these attributes.

Carbonate-based electrolytes struggle to meet the performance requirements of most emerging electrode materials (Si, high Ni NMC, high voltage, Mn-rich, alkali metal, Na-ion). Here we discuss electrolyte/molecule design strategies that can enable scalable, low-cost electrolytes that offer a step-up in performance compared to legacy carbonates. These electrolytes can effectively solve long-withstanding such as record-breaking performance in low-cost chemistries such as LMFP, zero gassing in Si-based anodes, <5 min fast charge, and stable high voltage operation

Next-generation cathodes require high-voltage operation (≥4.5 V) while maintaining structural and electrochemical stability. We present a dual-gradient cathode architecture—combining compositional gradients and an ordered-to-disordered structural transition—that enables stable cycling at up to 4.7 V. This design suppresses surface degradation, limits lattice strain, and enhances thermal resilience, achieving long-life, high-capacity performance beyond the limitations of current cathode technologies.