Honda joins! Three international automakers and SES jointly develop semi-solid lithium metal batteries

Battery China learned that on January 19, SES Holdings Pte. Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "SES") announced that it had signed a joint development agreement for lithium metal batteries with Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Honda"). Honda will become the world's third major automobile manufacturer to sign a joint development agreement for lithium metal batteries A samples with SES after General Motors and Hyundai Motor.

In November 2021, SES officially released the hybrid lithium metal battery - Apollo? at its "SES Battery World Event". According to reports, the Apollo? hybrid lithium metal battery has a capacity of up to 107 Ah, weighs only 0.982 Kg, and has an energy density of 417 Wh/kg and 935 Wh/L. The negative electrode uses lithium metal, and the electrolyte is a solid-liquid mixture. The remaining materials such as the positive electrode and equipment have a large overlap with the current liquid batteries. Apollo? is manufactured by existing liquid lithium battery equipment, and it has great compatibility with existing equipment in the production process.

According to SES's plan, the 107Ah large-capacity, long-size hybrid lithium metal battery will launch the automotive-grade lithium metal battery A sample in 2022, and officially realize the commercial mass production of lithium metal batteries in 2025. It is understood that SES has previously cooperated with General Motors and Hyundai Motor in the research and development and testing of related products.

The signing of a joint development agreement for lithium metal battery A samples between Honda and SES marks another international automaker's recognition of SES's R&D capabilities and industrialization speed in hybrid lithium metal batteries.

Shinji Aoyama, Honda Motor's executive officer in charge of electrification, said Honda has been committed to exploring the path to achieve high-capacity, safe and low-cost next-generation batteries. "When we learned about SES's advanced technology, we signed a joint development agreement with SES. We hope to establish a good partnership with SES to promote joint research and development and accelerate substantial results."

SES founder and CEO Hu Qichao said that SES hybrid lithium metal technology can combine industry-leading performance such as high energy density with high manufacturability, which is a convincing innovative solution. With the support of Honda and all strategic and financial investors, SES is fully prepared to implement the next production development plan and bring the next generation of battery technology to global electric vehicle manufacturers.

Currently, SES is building a super factory in Shanghai, which is scheduled to be completed in 2023. After completion, the production capacity will reach 1GWh. It is expected to be the world's largest hybrid lithium metal battery factory by then.

It is worth adding that in addition to the joint development of lithium metal batteries with SES, Honda will also invest in SES. Previously, Honda has decided to invest in the combined company by participating in the common stock private equity ("PIPE") financing in the business combination between SES and Ivanhoe Capital Acquisition Corporation.

Honda will also become the sixth major automaker in the world to invest in the combined SES and Ivanhoe company, following General Motors, Hyundai Motor, Geely Holding Group, SAIC Motor and Foxconn.