The EV Battery Race

Economics, Science

745 miles vs 930 miles: The US and EU are losing the EV battery race against China

While the USA is behind 745 miles, it would be excellent. The real breakthrough is with solid-state technology. The challenge will be to bring production costs down. See the following article

Story by Tyler Park

“Solid-state battery technology is moving closer to real-world adoption, marking a potential turning point for the electric vehicle industry. Often described as the long-awaited breakthrough in battery development, the technology promises to significantly extend driving range while improving safety. Recent reports indicate that both Chinese and U.S. developers have begun real-world testing, with early commercialization targeted around 2027.

Chinese automakers are pushing aggressively to lead this transition. Chery has unveiled a fully solid-state battery with an energy density of 600 Wh/kg, claiming a range of more than 930 miles under the CLTC standard and planning vehicle testing through its premium Exeed brand ahead of mass production. Changan is pursuing a similar path with its Golden Bell battery, targeting comparable range figures and preparing prototype deployments as early as 2026. Dongfeng has also demonstrated progress, testing a 350 Wh/kg prototype in extreme cold conditions with a reported range exceeding 620 miles.

At the same time, major battery leaders are bridging current technology with future breakthroughs. BYD continues to advance its lithium iron phosphate-based Blade Battery 2.0, delivering up to 620 miles of range alongside ultra-fast charging capabilities of up to 1,500 kW, enabling rapid charging in minutes. CATL is also moving toward solid-state development, with plans for limited production by 2027, signaling that large-scale industry adoption may not be far off.

In the United States and Europe, progress is being driven through partnerships and focused innovation. Factorial has integrated its solid-state battery into a modified Mercedes-Benz EQS, achieving an estimated range of 745 miles with energy density roughly 80% higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries. Collaborations with automakers including Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis suggest that the first production vehicles using this technology could arrive within the same 2027 timeframe.

Beyond range improvements, the true advantage of solid-state batteries lies in their fundamental design. By replacing liquid electrolytes with solid materials, the technology reduces fire risk, increases energy density, and enables lighter, more compact battery packs. This opens the door to improved vehicle efficiency, more interior space, and new design possibilities. As competition intensifies globally, solid-state batteries are shaping up to be a defining factor in the next phase of electric vehicle development.”

Technology

Just for Fun, Perspectives

Does it feel like the overall progress of technology has been slower this decade compared to the prior 4?

The other day, I was watching a compilation of commercials from 2006, and this particular commercial stood out. The product was this very primitive version of a sliding keyboard phone, which had rounded edges and extra handles on the side. It was almost like a fusion of a sliding keyboard phone and a Gameboy Advance, and it really got me thinking about how quickly cellphones were evolving in the 2000’s. We went from flip phones in 2003 to sliding keyboard phones in 2006, to smartphones in 2008, to voice-activated smartphones in 2011. And it wasn’t just cellphones that were racing forward at that time, either. It seemed like there was a new version of Windows more or less every 3 years back then as well.

It seems as if ever since computers and microchips started getting big in the 80’s, technology has been on a non-stop race forward, but I can’t help but feel like things are starting to plateau. We no longer live in an age where technology enters a new generation every 3 years. A phone purchased in 2024 has the same functionality as one purchased in 2012, and you could say something similar for computers as well. Every decade has had some great innovation (personal computers, the internet, smartphones, VR), but so far it feels like the 2020’s haven’t yet had their big moment, and I’m wondering if it’s coming at all.

Is this it? Is this the decade where things finally start to level off after 40 years of progress? My experience is that perhaps it started slowing down quite a while ago. Over the past 6 or 7 years, I have owned three new laptops. However, they have all had about the same specs. The processor has been an Intel I-7 with the same amount of memory (16 gig) and the same size SSD drive. I haven’t noticed any difference other than that the price has been lower for each newer model.

It makes me wonder where the initial innovation came from for this technology. Was it homegrown, adopted, or reverse-engineered from some other source? Will another type of technology be required to take us to the next level? Why have we not made much progress on the idea of nanotechnology being the next giant leap?

EV to PIHB

Economics, Education, Perspectives

I switched from an electric car back to a Plug-in hybrid – here’s what I learned

 [Volkswagen Passat ePro / Courtesy of Volkswagen] is a revolutionary new vehicle with a monstrous driving range that can make three round-trip trips between Seoul and Busan with fuel to spare has finally been unveiled. Volkswagen’s newly revealed Passat Pro PHEV model has sent shockwaves through the domestic market, confirming it can travel over 1,300 km (810 miles) on a single tank of gas and charge. This vehicle, which combines the efficiency of electric powertrains with the convenience of internal combustion engines, has instantly positioned itself as a disruptive force in the family car segment. The new Passat Pro stretches to nearly 5 meters (about 16.4 feet) in length, making it noticeably larger than most mid-size sedans.

[Volkswagen Passat ePro / Courtesy of Volkswagen] With a significantly extended wheelbase, the rear-seat legroom rivals that of domestic Grandeur, offering expansive comfort for passengers. The powertrain, which marries a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, produces a robust combined output of 272 horsepower (203 kW), ensuring spirited performance. The ability to travel 160 km (99 miles) on battery power alone means that daily commuters with an 80 km (50 miles) one-way trip could potentially eliminate their fuel costs, resulting in $0 in fuel expenses. 706.2 mpg

The 2023 Volkswagen Passat ePro offers impressive fuel efficiency, achieving a combined WLTP fuel economy of 706.2 mpg. This model is designed to provide an electric-only range of 150 km (93 miles) and a total range of 1,300 km (808 miles) when combined with its gasoline engine. The fuel tank is 66 litres.

Personal note: Our 2019 Hyundai Ionic only has a 40-litre tank, and I have managed 1100 km on it, and it is not a plug-in. The Ionic is MPG more efficient, likely because it has less HP.