| Author | Message | ||
     Entrepreneur Kurra Bewarse Username: Entrepreneur Post Number: 2841 Registered: 05-2011 Rating: N/A |
On QS: This week QuantumScape (QS), a solid-state battery company, released data demonstrating that its single-layer battery cell could charge in 15 minutes, operate in a wide range of temperatures, and achieve more than 800 cycles, roughly equivalent to 240,000 miles in an electric vehicle with a 100kWh battery. Batteries rarely perform this well across all three vectors. Worth noting, however, according to Bloomberg QuantumScape also is using an electrolyte gel, making it more of a hybrid solution than a pure solid-state battery, at least for the time being. Generating investor interest, solid-state batteries hold the promise of energy densities 50-100% higher than those of traditional lithium-ion batteries. While QuantumScape is targeting the electric vehicle market, our research suggests that solid-state batteries will gain more traction in drones and air taxis. Both will be less sensitive to the higher price of solid-state batteries than to their light weight. Low weight is less meaningful for electric vehicles on the ground but could prove vital for drones, air taxis, and perhaps even AR/VR headsets. Many labs and battery companies have demonstrated impressive results, but few have commercialized successfully at scale. ARK will continue to track the space closely. |