SK On is planning to develop a cobalt-free electric vehicle (EV) battery, according to TheElec.
Cobalt is a key raw material for making EV batteries, and its thermal stability and high energy density make it an ideal material for battery applications. However, it is more expensive than other materials such as nickel and manganese. Removing cobalt from batteries will not only lower the cost of batteries but also lower the price of electric vehicles.
SK On aims to develop such a battery within three years and is in talks with cathode suppliers to develop a roadmap for the program, which will most likely use a lithium manganese Ferro phosphate (LMFP) cathode. No or less cobalt in the cathode usually means more manganese will be used, which is cheaper than nickel and is also considered more stable to avoid fires. The disadvantage of manganese, however, is that it has a lower energy density than other materials.
SK On is also currently developing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, both of which could be supplied for low- and mid-range electric vehicles.
SK On is not the only EV battery maker with such plans, as companies such as Panasonic and Tesla are both looking to develop a cobalt-free battery. in January 2021, Shawn Watanabe, head of Panasonic’s energy technology and manufacturing division, said at the Consumer Electronics Show that the company would be able to introduce a cobalt-free, high-energy density battery within two to three years from then.
Tesla’s chief executive officer (CEO) Elon Musk has also been saying he wants to move to cobalt-free batteries.
