Demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly increasing and, according to the European Green Vehicle Initiative Association (EGVIA), a significant increase of acceptance of EVs can come only via further and significant cost reductions and limitations of disadvantages compared to other propulsion technologies such as driving range, durability, “re-fueling” time and safety.
Knowledge-based improvements of Li-ion battery cost, performance, recyclability and safety are thus needed to enable electric vehicles to rapidly gain market share. It will reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and air pollutants. Several SPIDER partners are identified by the European Battery Alliance as central and strategic for the creation of the needed European battery value chain. It will contribute to the development of a new, market competitive European battery cell chemistry and materials technology that will allow reduction of dependence from foreign supply, and build the knowledge base for creation of a competitive European automotive cell production.
The SPIDER project (H2020 Grant Agreement n° 814389) proposes a multidisciplinary approach to develop safe and long-lifetime, high energy density cells. This approach is based on new materials, improved chemistries, new industrially relevant manufacturing process steps and complimented by in-depth characterization, safety, modelling and Life-cycle-(cost) analysis studies.
SPIDER focuses on six main objectives:
- Increase cell energy density by 65% vs. State of the Art with non-critical, sustainable materials
- Reach power density of 800W/kg
- Reach 50% cost reduction for batteries by 2022
- Increase cycle life to 2000 cycles by 2022
- Increase cell safety by increasing thermal runaway temperature above 200°C and limiting the thermal energy dissipation to 4 kW/kg
- Develop a circular value chain for sustainable, recyclable (60 wt%) batteries in Europe.
SPIDER technologies will be implemented on 4 successive advanced Li-ion cell generations in which several concepts will be successively introduced: high capacity anode and cathode materials, prelithiation and advanced electrolyte formulations.
To this end, the project is organised in 8 work packages:
WP1 : End User Specifications
WP2: Prelithiation process development
WP3: Active materials development
WP4: Advanced safe electrolytes
WP5: Cell Manufacturing
WP6: Characterizations, modelling and tests (electrical and abusive)
WP7: Preparation of Market Entry within Circular value chain
WP8: Project and IP Management, Dissemination and Communication activities.