China supports development of solid-state, cobalt-free batteries, official says-CnEVPost

During China's 14th five-year plan (2021-2025), the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) will support research and development around the most critical power battery technology in the electric vehicle industry chain, an official said.

Xu Chaoqian, deputy director of the high and new-technology development department of the MOST, made the comments Saturday at an industry conference organized by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC).

The MOST supports the industry's forward deployment of new systems of power batteries, including the development of all-solid-state lithium batteries, cobalt-free power batteries and industrial hybrid lithium-ion batteries, Xu said.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan, the MOST will adhere to the development direction of electrification, intelligence and networking, and organize and implement special projects for new energy vehicles under the national key R&D program to support and the high-quality development of China's new energy vehicle industry, he said.

This includes supporting the research and development of key technologies for new energy vehicles in terms of energy power, electric drive systems, intelligent driving, support technologies, and vehicle platforms in terms of industry chain, supply chain, and key link innovation, according to Xu.

The MOST supports the industry's core technologies around fuel cells and hydrogen storage systems, solid oxide cells, and on-board liquid hydrogen system technologies, with a focus on high-power fuel cell power stacks, high-power, long-life fuel power stacks, and other core technologies.

Research on electric drive systems based on new materials and devices, high-performance electric drive technologies, high-precision autonomous driving, and key technologies for intelligent networked vehicles will also be supported, he said.

China's NEV sales expected to exceed 1.7 million in Jan-Aug, tripling year-over-year