Which of the following Battery Topics would you skip - would you add one ?

I read the following paragraphs a few times - cannot remove one or think of which one to add.

1. Improvement in Energy Density: Efforts are focused on increasing the energy density of batteries, which allows for longer range on a single charge. This involves exploring new materials and chemistries beyond the traditional lithium-ion, such as solid-state batteries that promise higher energy density and safety benefits.

2. Reduction in Costs: The cost of EV batteries has been declining and is expected to continue dropping due to technological advancements and scaling production. Lower battery costs make EVs more competitive with internal combustion engine vehicles, facilitating broader adoption.

3. Faster Charging Technologies: Development is underway to reduce charging times to levels comparable to filling up a tank of gas. This involves innovations in battery chemistry and charging infrastructure to support ultra-fast charging.

4. Sustainability and Recycling: With the increase in EV adoption, sustainability concerns over battery production and end-of-life management are growing. Trends include the development of batteries with less environmentally harmful materials, improved recyclability, and systems for second-life applications of used EV batteries.

5. Diversification of Battery Chemistries: While lithium-ion batteries dominate the market, research into alternative chemistries, such as lithium-sulfur, sodium-ion, and solid-state, is intensifying. These alternatives promise benefits like lower costs, enhanced safety, and reduced reliance on scarce materials.

6. Solid-State Batteries: Solid-state batteries are seen as a significant breakthrough for the next decade, offering higher energy density, improved safety, and longer life spans. Several automakers and startups are investing heavily in solid-state technology, aiming to commercialize it within the 2020s.

7. Battery Management and Intelligence: Advances in battery management systems (BMS) and the integration of artificial intelligence are enhancing the performance, longevity, and safety of batteries. These systems can optimize charging, usage, and maintenance strategies based on real-time data and predictive analytics.

8. Vertical Integration: Automakers are increasingly investing in battery production capabilities or forming strategic partnerships with battery manufacturers to secure supply chains and reduce costs.

9. Geopolitical and Supply Chain Considerations: The growing demand for battery materials has highlighted the importance of securing stable, ethical, and environmentally friendly supply chains for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Efforts to reduce dependency on single sources and increase recycling capabilities are part of this trend.

So how to prioritize?

The trends in battery development for EVs that are receiving the most funding and interest from investors are focused on advancements in battery technologies, particularly solid-state batteries, silicon anode technology, and improvements in energy density and charging infrastructure.

Solid-state batteries, known for their potential to offer higher energy density and safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, are at the forefront. Companies like SES and Solid Power have raised significant funding to develop these batteries, with SES closing a $139 million Series D and Solid Power raising a $130 million Series B. These developments are supported by major automakers such as General Motors, Ford Motor Co., BMW Group, and others, emphasizing the automotive industry's shift towards these advanced battery technologies (https://www.batterytechonline.com/industry-outlook/trends-in-the-ev-battery-industries-that-matter-for-2024),(https://news.crunchbase.com/transportation/ev-battery-startups-vc-funding/).

Silicon anode technology is another area attracting attention due to its promise for enhancing battery energy density and overall performance. This technology is seen as key to the future of EV batteries, with potential to significantly improve the capabilities of electric vehicles as it matures and becomes commercially viable (https://www.batterytechonline.com/industry-outlook/trends-in-the-ev-battery-industries-that-matter-for-2024).

Additionally, the industry is seeing a surge in venture funding for EV battery-related technology, with startups in the space raising more than $3.6 billion in 2021, nearly triple the amount raised in 2020. The investments are not just in battery hardware but also in the ecosystem around EV batteries, including battery design and charging technologies (https://news.crunchbase.com/transportation/ev-battery-startups-vc-funding/).

Overall, the focus on solid-state batteries and silicon anode technology, coupled with the growing investment in the EV battery sector, reflects the industry's dynamic nature and its commitment to addressing the challenges of cost, sustainability, and efficiency in battery development. These trends underscore the significant potential for innovation in the EV and battery industries, poised to redefine the automotive and energy sectors towards a cleaner and more integrated energy ecosystem.

➡️ The scrap rate in automotive battery cell production can significantly vary depending on the stage of production and the maturity of the manufacturing process.

➡️ Initially, as a battery production facility ramps up, scrap rates can reach very high levels. However, for steady production, S&P Global Mobility estimates a scrap rate of 4-12% for cell production, which can be attributed to the complexity of the process and varies based on the type of supplier and cell type.

➡️ This rate can be as high as 15-30% for companies in their start-up phase. In contrast, for battery module and pack production, a scrap rate of 0.5% to 1.5% is closer to the norm https://lnkd.in/dkPvRH7r

➡️ Furthermore, Roland Berger's "Battery Monitor 2022" report highlights that scrap rates in battery production are high at the beginning, often around 30%, but can be reduced to 5-10% over time on well-established production lines, as demonstrated by leading factories in Asia. This reduction is attributed to advancements in production processes and technologies that improve efficiency and quality control, thereby lowering wastage https://lnkd.in/dg7WJmwS

If you have insights into numbers, ideally public ones, I would be very interested.