"Only solid electrolyte batteries will be a breakthrough in the world of electricians." Yes, but not “just” [column; Act]

At the end of the week, my attention was drawn to an article entitled "The Holy Grail of the Automotive Industry Is Already Working." A Nail in the Coffin of Internal Combustion Vehicles ”published by Interia. By definition, I don't click on clickbaits, so I would have forgotten about it, but at some point it dawned on me.

A subtle game called "Electric cars are not ready yet"

Table of contents

• A subtle game called "Electric cars are not ready yet"
  • Where is Toyota in the world of electricians
  • Don't hold your breath while waiting for solid electrolyte

The text on Interia was inspiring for me for many reasons. Once this material was not signed. Secondly, additional photos were taken by Toyota (no caption!). Thirdly, there is this introduction:

More and more electric vehicles are entering the market, they are gaining more range, shorter charging times and better performance. However, to become a viable alternative to combustion vehicles, electric vehicles need a technological breakthrough. This is how solid electrolyte batteries can be.

I read the text to the end, looked at the pictures, read the introduction again and understood everything. The message is the following, I will present it with four sentences that I have taken out of the text on the Interia.pl portal:

However, to become a viable alternative to combustion vehicles, electric vehicles need a technological breakthrough.

Solid electrolyte batteries are a very promising technology, but the current stage of its development does not allow for immediate mass production.

Toyota has been conducting advanced research into this technology since 2012.

Over the decade - from 2009 to 2018 - the company registered more than 1500 patents related to such a solution.

If I hadn't heard the story over the past few decades that "hydrogen is the fuel of the future," I would have given up on the Interia article. But I came to the conclusion that it is worth responding to. For convenience, I'll summarize the above post in one sentence:

EVs are not ready yet and will be ready when solid electrolyte batteries become available, of which Toyota is leading the way.

The reader of "Elektrovoz", a reasonable and intelligent person, at least two of these theses will cause a smile. However, people who are guided by certain habits and clichés (stereotypes) will calm down: "Oh, the electrics are not ready yet," "Oh, if they are ready, Toyota will definitely provide them."

The problem is that both opinions don't have to be true.

Where is Toyota in the world of electricians

Toyota is currently the largest automotive concern in the world, no one takes it. Toyota is promoting hybrid drives. But Toyota doesn't really stand out when it comes to electric vehicles (BEVs).. It has two models fit for a normal person (Izoa / C-HR in China, Lexus UX 300e here and there in the world), a few special models (like Proace Electric) and that's the end of her achievements. The recently introduced bZ model is conceptwhich can evaporate like Lexus electric concepts (does anyone remember them at all?). No, because it looks good:

So how can a manufacturer understand this, which is practically absent in a certain market? Ok, ok, Toyota can express convictionthat "EVs are not ready yet" and "will only be ready when solid electrolyte cells become available" - and they are. Leaders must use their intuition and Excel to make (and then defend) certain strategic decisions. And they do it.

However, we emphasize with all firmness: Toyota decides if EVs are ready... Not the author from Interia, even if he was published in the "Auto" section. No electric locomotive. This is decided by people, buyers who buy electric cars, often the only ones in the family. For them Electric vehicles are a real alternative to internal combustion vehicles.

The problem is that clichés people take comments on the Internet at face value or simply don’t have time to think about progress, they believe such claims. And then they are shocked that the electrician is large, fast, convenient and today drives several hundred kilometers from the battery... That you don't have to wait.

Don't hold your breath while waiting for solid electrolyte

The second topic is cells with solid electrolyte. Yes, we will strive for them, but let these aspirations not block us. When they come, they will be, without them it’s also good. It is enough to go to the first electronics supermarket to see how Lithium-ion cell technology has made tremendous progress In recent years. Everywhere shelves literally sag under battery-powered devices, laptops, clocks, skateboards, phones, scooters, cameras, camcorders, speakers ... Today's wireless stereo headphones are cherry-sized and offer many hours of use. A properly designed limousine has a battery in the floor, allowing you to drive through half of Poland without stopping.!

Lucid Air platform appearance. In the lower right corner, you can see the approximate range of 517 miles or 832 kilometers (c) of Lucid Motors.

Toyota may be the leader in solid-state patents, but the prototype announced for 2020 with such elements was NOT submitted. And Mercedes offered its eCitaro G, it was the first. Well, the bus is not a car, there is more space in the bus for heating systems - modern solid-state elements are not ideal, they need to be heated - but someone has done something, and someone has not done something. Is there a product or not.

Personally I believe in ToyotaI always cheer her on, although I certainly understand the [business] reason for promoting hybrids and separating myself from electricians. After all I cannot agree with the assertion that electric vehicles are not yet a viable alternative to combustion vehicles.... I agree that they are too expensive (because they are), I agree that the choice is still too small (because they are), I admit it is right when someone says that we are lagging behind with the charging infrastructure (because we ), I will not stupidly state that an electrician will work in all applications (because he will not work, for example, for those who regularly travel from Ustrzyki to Swinoujscie without stopping).

But we don't need the Holy Grail. Real, ready-made electric vehicles are here. They go. This is indirectly visible in all these electronics, which are charging faster and faster and allow you to get more and more on a single charge. I don't understand that journalists don't see the connection between these two worlds - they don't remember how much laptops used to cost and that four hours of battery life was really the height of a dream?

Opening photo: illustrative, Mercedes EQA (c) Daimler / Mercedes battery

Update 2021/04/25, hours. 21.53: The purpose of the article was to try to refer to the communique published on Interia. There was another article mentioned that had some elements in common with him, so he was an inspiration to me. before returning to Interia. In the original version of this text, this other article was commended for its broader review. However, it seems that our praise has not been fully honored. I am removing the link to the first article.

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