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The latest news on the progress of solid-state battery technology has me wondering if waiting a while longer before jumping in to a BEV may be worthwhile.
Solid-state batteries offer a ton of advantages over existing Li-ion technology: Higher energy density, faster re-charging, longer cycle life and much better operation at temperature extremes. These advantages are more than theoretical at this point and are confirmed by a new data release by QuantumScape (a spinoff company from Stanford that VW has partnered with). Hard on QuantumScape's heels is a competing SS battery from Toyota. Both VW & Toyota claim to be planning (and able) to use solid-state batteries in vehicles beginning in 2025.
The extended wait time that I and many others who pre-ordered an R1S but need the Max Battery Pack will need endure may be a blessing in disguise. There will certainly be much more information on the progress of solid-state batteries before the R1S Max Pack will deliver (based on Rivian stating that there will be an "announcement" of this configuration in early 2022, my guess is that delivery will be early 2023.)
Assuming that the performance of solid-state batteries turns out to be real and not hype, it may be worth another 24 months for the technology.
Solid-state batteries offer a ton of advantages over existing Li-ion technology: Higher energy density, faster re-charging, longer cycle life and much better operation at temperature extremes. These advantages are more than theoretical at this point and are confirmed by a new data release by QuantumScape (a spinoff company from Stanford that VW has partnered with). Hard on QuantumScape's heels is a competing SS battery from Toyota. Both VW & Toyota claim to be planning (and able) to use solid-state batteries in vehicles beginning in 2025.
The extended wait time that I and many others who pre-ordered an R1S but need the Max Battery Pack will need endure may be a blessing in disguise. There will certainly be much more information on the progress of solid-state batteries before the R1S Max Pack will deliver (based on Rivian stating that there will be an "announcement" of this configuration in early 2022, my guess is that delivery will be early 2023.)
Assuming that the performance of solid-state batteries turns out to be real and not hype, it may be worth another 24 months for the technology.