Samsung SDI Initiates Mass Production of High-nickel Batteries
LG Energy Solution, SK On and Samsung SDI are preparing to manufacture next-generation high-nickel batteries for use in electric vehicles.
LG Energy Solution and SK On are planning to start NCMA and NCM9 battery manufacturing within this year, respectively. Samsung SDI initiated the mass production of its fifth-generation high-nickel batteries last month. In each of the batteries, the content of nickel in its positive electrode material is as high as 80 percent to 90 percent instead of 70 percent or less. In an electric vehicle battery, a higher nickel content means a higher energy density and an increase in driving range.
Previously, the manufacturers did not produce high-nickel batteries because of safety issues. An increase in nickel content leads to an increase in battery performance, but a decline in safety is entailed at the same time. The three South Korean manufacturers, however, found solutions on their own. SK On’s solution is a complete separation between positive and negative electrodes based on the electrodes surrounded in a Z shape during separator stacking. Samsung SDI’s is minimized battery deterioration based on an aluminum material and special coating. LG Energy Solution added aluminum for safety enhancement.
Electric vehicles equipped with their next-generation high-nickel batteries will debut one after another. The examples include the BMW iX SUV equipped with the Samsung SDI battery, which will be released next month with a driving range of 630 km. The Ford F-150 Lightning is scheduled to be released early next year with the NCM9 battery of SK On. The GMC Hummer electric pickup truck will come out late this year with the NCMA battery of LG Energy Solution. This company is building a battery plant in Indonesia with Hyundai Motor Group and NCMA batteries will be manufactured there starting from the first half of 2024.
Chinese EV battery manufacturers, in the meantime, are concentrating on LFP batteries, which are relatively safer, cheaper and lower in energy density. Inexpensive Tesla and Volkswagen models are likely to come with LFP batteries manufactured by CATL, BYD and others. According to experts, those batteries are more likely to catch fire and the prices of raw materials for LFP batteries are rising rapidly these days.