As the commercialization of electric vehicles has gained momentum, automotive manufacturers have announced the discontinuation of internal combustion engine vehicles. Volkswagen aims to increase its electric vehicle share to 80% in Europe and 55% in North America by 2030, while Mercedes-Benz has already announced that it will no longer manufacture internal combustion engine vehicles by 2023. Public transportation is also transitioning to hydrogen buses and electric buses. Amidst the fervent efforts of companies to produce electric vehicles, all-solid-state batteries are gaining attention as a solution to the problem of electric vehicle batteries.

Existing electric vehicles utilize lithium-ion batteries. In lithium-ion batteries, the electrolyte that allows electricity to flow between the anode and cathode is a liquid, making them susceptible to leakage. Furthermore, the flammable liquid nature poses a risk of explosion under high temperatures. In the event of a fire in an electric vehicle, it is difficult to extinguish, and if the fire is not extinguished properly, there is a possibility of a secondary explosion, leading to a major accident.

All-solid-state batteries are emerging as a replacement that overcomes these shortcomings of lithium-ion batteries. Because the electrolyte is solid, there is no risk of leakage due to impact, and it does not contain flammable substances, making it less likely to ignite, making it relatively safe. However, all-solid-state batteries are still under development. Recently, there has been an announcement that Solid Power, an American all-solid-state battery company, and SK of Korea will collaborate to accelerate the development of all-solid-state batteries.

Using all-solid-state batteries is said to not only shorten charging times but also improve driving range. All-solid-state batteries seem to be capable of addressing almost all of the complaints that existing electric vehicle users have expressed. Companies have already jumped into the development of all-solid-state batteries. In order to enhance national competitiveness, countries are actively supporting the all-solid-state battery industry. Major companies are aiming for the practical application of all-solid-state batteries between 2025 and 2028.

At this point in time, as the era of internal combustion engine vehicles fades and the era of electric vehicles dawns, the price remains the biggest obstacle to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Even today, many consumers are forced to give up on purchasing electric vehicles due to their high price. If all-solid-state batteries are developed, the initial price problem is expected to become another hurdle. However, as with lithium-ion batteries, the price is expected to gradually stabilize over time. However, it is expected to take quite some time for the price to drop to a level that is not burdensome.

A few days ago, Chicago, USA, experienced an Arctic cold snap. The wind chill plummeted to -30 degrees Celsius, but it was the electric cars that posed a bigger problem than humans. The electric cars froze and discharged, leading to a surge of people at charging stations. The charging process itself was not working properly, leading to renewed complaints about electric vehicles. Electric vehicles require a chemical reaction between the anode and cathode for electricity to flow and operate normally. When the temperature drops significantly, this chemical reaction slows down, causing battery problems. As climate change causes extreme heatwaves and cold spells to occur more frequently than before, attention is being paid to whether the introduction of all-solid-state batteries can solve these problems.