Solid-state batteries will solve several common EV issues, including recyclability, manufacturing and replacement costs, weight, and even thermal runaway, and I’m very excited about the idea of a lightweight EV that is fun to drive. But those leading the charge on solid-state batteries say that production will still take several years to scale. This means the tech will debut in something too expensive for the mass market, and the average buyer will have to wait for the trickle-down effect.
This happens with combustion cars, too, but if an outdated engine fails, individual parts can be replaced, and if the issue is too expensive to fix, at least the rest of the car can be stripped for parts. Is there any part of an EV that is easy to reuse, repair, resell, or recycle? Nope.
And what about obsolescence? Mate Rimac has said the Nevera could be made much quicker, lighter, and more efficient if the automaker were to redevelop it today using the same hardware. The EV industry is still in its infancy, but the rate of progress is shocking.
