Ilika’s recent collaboration with UK battery integration specialists has highlighted the potential for solid state battery (SSB) technology to reshape electric vehicle (EV) pack design and efficiency. In a theoretical modelling exercise, Ilika’s SSB cells were evaluated against conventional lithium-ion systems in a typical mass-market SUV platform, focusing on how inherent cell-level advantages could translate into vehicle-level benefits.
The modelling exercise replaced existing NMC lithium-ion cells in the SUV pack with Ilika’s SSB cells, assuming equal cell cost. The resulting redesign capitalised on the improved thermal tolerance and safety characteristics of solid state technology. These features enabled the removal or reduction of several passive safety and thermal management components, delivering material savings in both weight and complexity.
With the new cell format, the pack was 32kg lighter from energy density improvements alone. An additional 33kg reduction came from eliminating intra-cell foam, thermal barriers and venting hardware, as the cells can safely operate at higher temperatures. Furthermore, enhanced safety performance allowed structural anti-intrusion beams to be slimmed down, shedding another 31kg. Altogether, the pack achieved a total reduction of 96kg compared to the benchmark system.
Ilika plc (LON:IKA) is a pioneer in solid state battery technology enabling solutions for applications in Industrial IoT, MedTech, Electric Vehicles and Consumer Electronics.
