British firm Ilika, known for its advancements in solid-state battery technology, has achieved a significant milestone in the development of its Goliath batteries for electric vehicles. The latest development is a 10 Ah cell, which boasts a fivefold increase in capacity since July, marking a substantial improvement in the technology’s performance.
This achievement, referred to by the company as its “D6 milestone,” paves the way for the next phase, called the D7 design freeze. Ilika plans to reach this stage by the first quarter of 2025. The D7 milestone will enable the release of 10 Ah prototype cells, known as P1.5 prototypes, which are a progression from the 2 Ah P1 prototypes launched in July 2024. These earlier prototypes are already undergoing trials with a Tier 1 automotive supplier, demonstrating their viability in the market.
Ilika’s CEO, Graeme Purdy, expressed confidence in the company’s progress, highlighting the importance of meeting development goals on schedule to ensure customer needs are met. He emphasised that Ilika’s work with potential manufacturing partners aims to reduce commercialisation risks. The announcement underscores the company’s steady movement towards market readiness and eventual commercialisation.
The timeline for the P1.5 prototype release hinges on completing testing of batteries based on the D7 design by mid-2025. Following this, Ilika plans to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) by the end of 2025, which is expected to enable licensing opportunities and generate revenue.
In parallel, Balance Batteries, another UK-based company, is exploring Goliath-based battery packs for electric vehicles. These packs leverage the high safety, energy density, and rapid charging features of the Goliath cells. Early findings suggest that such battery packs could weigh up to 100 kilograms less than current lithium-ion batteries used in SUVs while maintaining equivalent energy capacity.
Ilika’s solid-state cells use an oxide solid electrolyte and a silicon anode, which offer significant safety benefits across production, storage, and usage. Additionally, these batteries can operate at higher temperatures than conventional lithium-ion cells, simplifying battery management systems. The result is a safer, lighter, and more efficient solution that promises higher energy and power density, longer ranges, and faster charging for electric vehicles.
Ilika’s advancements in solid-state battery technology represent a promising step forward for electric vehicle innovation. With ongoing progress and collaboration with industry partners, the company is on track to deliver market-ready solutions that could revolutionise energy storage for the automotive sector.
