QuantumScape checks last item off its 2024 to-do list, enabling higher sample volumes of first commercial solid-state battery

Solid-state battery developer QuantumScape shared another critical milestone today: its “Cobra” separator production process has been developed, delivered, installed, and is ready for initial separator processing. The achievement was the last item on QuantumScape’s list of goals for 2024, putting it on track to produce a higher volume of samples of its flagship commercial solid-state battery, the QSE-5.

Every few months, solid-state technology specialist QuantumScape ($QS) graces the public with a progress update, which is almost always interesting. While many companies are developing solid-state batteries en route to a potential paradigm shift in electric mobility brought on by scaled production and (hopefully) cost parity with existing battery technologies, QuantumScape has proven time and again that it is one of the leaders in that quest, and could go down in history as the one who paved the way to a future in which EVs go farther, charge faster, and have zero risk of fire.

That’s easier said than done, and QuantumScape has been very open about how much work still needs to be done until it gets there. That said, milestones like today’s news are encouraging and provide evidence that QuantumScape is closer than ever to delivering its first commercial solid-state product to OEMs.

QuantumScape finishes Cobra solid-state separator tech

Per QuantumScape, its next-generation heat treatment equipment for its separator production process, nicknamed “Cobra,” has completed development and installation and is ready to begin initial separator processing for solid-state cells.

Cobra is a new ceramic solid-state separator production technique that will aid QuantumScape in both scalability and cost-efficiency as it progresses toward commercial cell production. The process results from years of advanced R&D and will enable QuantumScape to manufacture its solid-state battery technology at a gigawatt-hour scale. Per QS co-founder and CTO Tim Holme:

Cobra is a true breakthrough in ceramics manufacturing, and it will pave the way for the scale-up of our battery technology. I’m delighted with how the team has overcome challenges and kept the process roll-out on track this year.

Cobra follows QuantumScape’s Raptor production process for solid-state cells, which began ramping up operations earlier this year as part of the company’s 2024 list of goals. Cobra’s completion and integration marks a completed list with 26 days left to spare:

1. Ship Alpha-2 samples: Earlier in the year, the QS started shipping Alpha-2 samples to customers. These cells were precursors to the B samples.
2. Ramp Raptor process: This is the first stage of QuantumScape’s fast separator production process, which entered the company’s baseline process in the third quarter of 2024. These films are used in the low-volume QSE-5 B samples.
3. Begin low-volume QSE-5 prototype production: In October, QuantumScape started producing and shipping the first low-volume B sample battery cells for automotive customer testing. The QSE-5 B sample features an energy density of 844 Wh/L and can fast charge from 10% to 80% in 12.2 minutes.
4. Prepare for Cobra production in 2025: QuantumScape has delivered, installed, and released the initial separator processing key equipment for its advanced separator manufacturing process, Cobra.

With Cobra ready to join the solid-state cell production process, QuantumScape says it remains on schedule to deliver higher-volume samples of its QSE-5 solid-state cell in 2025. Per the company, that is a significant step toward commercializing solid-state batteries for EVs.

We’re still far from seeing QuantumScape’s commercial-grade solid-state products powering EVs, yet we are closer than ever. Seeing more QSE-5 cells being tested by automakers will be huge as they learn their true capabilities and how to best integrate them into future EV platforms.