MUNICH – Volkswagen Group, through its battery company PowerCo and partner QuantumScape, has publicly demonstrated the real-world application of solid-state lithium-metal battery technology by powering a Ducati electric motorcycle. The unveiling took place at the IAA Mobility conference in Munich, marking a significant step forward in the development of next-generation electric vehicle batteries.
The modified Ducati V21L race motorcycle, equipped with QuantumScape’s QSE-5 battery cells, showcased the technology’s potential for high-performance electric vehicles. This demonstration represents the first public integration of anode-free solid-state batteries from laboratory testing into a functional vehicle.
The Promise of Solid-State Batteries
Solid-state batteries are widely regarded as a potential “game changer” for electric mobility due to their numerous advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Enhanced Energy Density and Range
One of the most significant benefits is the potential for higher energy density, allowing for more energy storage in a smaller, lighter package. This could lead to significantly increased driving ranges for electric vehicles. Volkswagen suggests that a solid-state battery could increase the range of an E-Golf from 300 kilometers to approximately 750 kilometers. Experts also believe that solid-state batteries could enable EVs to travel 400 miles or more on a single charge.
Faster Charging Capabilities
Solid-state technology also promises dramatically faster charging times. The QSE-5 cells demonstrated in the Ducati charged from 10% to 80% in just over 12 minutes under test conditions. This rapid charging capability could make electric vehicles as convenient to refuel as gasoline-powered cars, addressing a major barrier to wider EV adoption.
Improved Safety and Longevity
The solid electrolyte in these batteries, often a ceramic or polymer, replaces the flammable liquid electrolytes found in conventional lithium-ion batteries, greatly reducing the risk of fire or explosion. Furthermore, solid-state batteries are expected to have a longer lifespan, with QuantumScape’s cells retaining 95% capacity after 1,000 charging cycles, equivalent to over 500,000 kilometers of mileage.
Volkswagen’s Strategic Investment and Partnership
Volkswagen Group has been a long-term investor in QuantumScape, a US-based solid-state battery developer, becoming its largest automotive shareholder with an initial investment of $100 million. The collaboration aims to accelerate the industrialization and mass production of solid-state batteries.
PowerCo, Volkswagen’s battery company, has partnered closely with QuantumScape, and the companies recently expanded their strategic cooperation and licensing agreement, with PowerCo committing an additional $131 million over the next two years. This funding will support prototype production and the transfer of technology for broader deployment. QuantumScape’s proprietary Cobra production process, used for the QSE-5 cells in the Ducati, has been integrated into their baseline production.
Ducati’s Role in Testing High-Performance Applications
The decision to test the solid-state cells in a Ducati electric motorcycle, specifically a modified V21L MotoE racer, was strategic. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali views an electric sports bike as a “perfect fit” for this advanced technology. High-performance electric motorcycles present unique challenges related to weight, range, and packaging, which solid-state batteries are well-suited to address due to their energy density.
Moreover, Ducati is utilizing the solid-state battery pack as a stressed part of the chassis. This subjects the battery to greater forces than in a typical electric car’s “skateboard” chassis, potentially yielding crucial data for improving the durability of solid-state cells, a known impediment in their development. The V21L, Ducati’s first electric motorcycle prototype, has been the sole official supplier for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup since 2023.
Future Outlook
While the live demonstration is a significant milestone, Volkswagen aims to commercialize a marketable solid-state battery solution by the end of the decade. The company envisions its unified cell, designed to accommodate various battery chemistries including solid-state, to be used in over 80% of the Group’s electric vehicles from 2030 onward.
The successful test in the Ducati motorcycle underscores the tangible progress being made in solid-state battery technology, moving it closer to widespread adoption in both two-wheeled and four-wheeled electric vehicles.
