South Korean Firm Sees Solid-State Batteries as a Way to Outcompete China

South Korean battery maker SK On believes that solid-state batteries could give it the edge it needs to compete with China in the electric vehicle industry. The company says these next-generation batteries will first be used in pouch-type cells, a format in which it already has strong expertise. SK On’s research and development chief recently described this technology as a possible “weapon” in the race against Chinese battery producers.

Solid-state batteries are different from the lithium-ion batteries used in most electric cars today. Instead of using a liquid electrolyte, they rely on a solid material such as polymer, sulfides, oxides, or ceramic. This change could bring several benefits, including higher energy density, quicker charging, longer battery life, and better thermal safety. These improvements could make electric cars more efficient and reliable, attracting more customers to the market.

However, the competition is tough. Chinese companies are already ahead in semi-solid-state technology, which experts consider a stepping stone toward fully solid-state batteries.

Nio has already put semi-solid packs in some of its electric vehicles, and MG Motor plans to launch a mass-market EV using this technology soon. In the West, companies like Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and BMW are also developing and testing both semi-solid and solid-state batteries, showing that the race to perfect this technology is global.

While waiting for solid-state batteries to become a reality, SK On is still working to improve the lithium-ion batteries we use today. One focus is better thermal management through immersion cooling, a system designed to keep batteries at safe operating temperatures. This technology is not just for electric vehicles, it could also be used in AI data centers and large-scale energy storage systems.

SK On’s large production network gives it an advantage when it comes to scaling up new technologies. In the United States, the company has partnered with Ford through a joint venture called BlueOval SK. Recently, the U.S. government approved a $9.6 billion loan to this venture, which will fund the construction of three major battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky.

This is the largest loan ever granted under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, highlighting the importance of battery production in the shift toward cleaner transportation.

Although solid-state batteries are still years away from mass production, SK On is preparing now. By investing heavily in research, expanding its manufacturing capacity, and working closely with top automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Volkswagen, and Hyundai, the company aims to be ready when the technology finally reaches the market. In a fast-moving industry, this early preparation could be the key to staying competitive against powerful rivals in China and beyond.

Those powerful rivals include firms like QuantumScape Corp. (NYSE: QS) that are on the verge of commercializing solid-state batteries designed for use in electric vehicles.

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