Energy storage, Innovation

A new revolution in electric vehicle batteries: FeCl3, an innovative solid-state battery cathode material

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, USA, have made a revolutionary breakthrough in batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and large-scale energy storage. The team has identified ferric chloride (FeCl3) as a new cathode material in solid-state batteries that promises to significantly reduce costs and the use of critical raw materials. Initial tests show that FeCl3 can perform as well as or even better than established cathode materials – at only one to two percent of their cost.

What is FeCl3 and why is it important?

The new cathode, called FeCl3, uses abundant and inexpensive materials such as iron (Fe) and chlorine (Cl), eliminating the need for expensive and rare materials such as nickel and cobalt, which are present in most modern batteries. This approach not only reduces production costs, but also contributes to the sustainability of the supply chain by reducing dependence on critical raw materials, which is essential for the global energy transition. According to initial tests, FeCl3 has demonstrated superior performance compared to other cathode materials, offering a higher operating voltage than lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which currently dominate the electric vehicle market. This higher voltage increases energy efficiency, which can lead to longer range for electric vehicles and more efficient energy storage.

Advantages of FeCl3 technology

  • Lower costs: FeCl3 can be produced at a much lower cost than traditional cathodes, reducing total battery costs by up to 98%. This could make electric vehicles more affordable for consumers, and even cheaper than cars with internal combustion engines.
  • Sustainability: Eliminating nickel and cobalt makes this technology much more environmentally friendly. In addition, the use of iron and chlorine, which are abundant and readily available, improves the stability of the supply chain for the battery industry.
  • Improved performance: The FeCl3 cathode not only offers low cost and increased sustainability, but also top performance, making it an attractive solution for both electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage.

Impact on the electric vehicle market and the electricity grid

The new technology could have a major impact on the electric vehicle market. According to Chen, principal investigator and associate professor at Georgia Tech, “It could not only make electric vehicles cheaper than internal combustion vehicles, but also offers a promising new form of large-scale energy storage, improving the resilience of the electric grid.” Large-scale energy storage is becoming increasingly important as the transition to renewable energy sources accelerates. The FeCl3 cathode could help strengthen electricity grids by providing an efficient and sustainable storage solution capable of coping with the variability of solar and wind energy.

Challenges and perspectives

Although FeCl3 has demonstrated impressive performance in initial tests, researchers continue to work on optimizing the technology for large-scale commercial use. Solving the challenges of long-term stability and mass production will be key steps in bringing this technology to market. However, the discovery of FeCl3 opens up new possibilities for the future of solid-state batteries and could accelerate the global adoption of electric vehicles and energy storage systems, contributing to a more sustainable economy and combating climate change.

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