Solid Power awarded millions from US Dept. of Energy to build solid-state batteries
Solid-State battery developer Solid Power continues to rally financial support to help scale its nickel- and cobalt-free cells for EVs. This week, the United States Department of Energy announced it is awarding over $5 million to help Solid Power continue developing its technology which could significantly help lower the price of EV batteries.
Solid Power ($SLDP) is a US-based battery developer that specializes in solid-state, sulfide-based electrolyte technology that it hopes to scale in order to bring more energy-dense cells to the EV world at or near cost parity to current lithium-ion batteries.
Since being spun out of a program at University of Colorado in 2011, legacy automakers like Ford and Hyundai have invested in Solid Power, in addition to a partnership with SK Innovation announced in October of 2021. Last June, Solid Power announced a solid-state battery pilot production line ahead of a timeline to deliver the cells to both Ford and BMW by the end of 2022.
In mid-December, Solid Power announced it would co-develop its solid-state technology in the US alongside longtime partner BMW, who will implement its own assembly lines overseas with the goal of fast-tracking development toward scaled cell production, as part of the deal agreed to pay $20 million to license the technology.
Now, the battery developer has gained an even larger financial cushion to continue its research, following an award from the US Department of Energy (DOE).
Solid Power further bolstered by award from US DOE
After the US Dept. of Energy announced its award (up to) $5.6 million to Solid Power on Wednesday, the energy-dense cell developer delivered a release of its own, commenting on the financial support from Uncle Sam. The battery company’s interim CEO, president, and chair David Jansen shared a statement:
Replacing costly nickel and cobalt in the cathode with sulfur could lead to a lower cost EV battery with improved energy and fast-charging capabilities. I’d like to thank the Solid Power development team for their outstanding work and the DOE for their continued confidence in our company’s value proposition.
The over $5 million recently awarded to Solid Power is part of a $42 million package that the DOE is using to financially support 12 different projects under the Electric Vehicles for American Low-Carbon Living (EVs4ALL) program. The common goal of these dozen projects is to strengthen US supply chains that contribute to advanced battery technologies used to power EVs.
Much of the Biden administration’s work the past three years has gone into promoting electrification across the government and citizens, investing in renewables, bolstering charging infrastructure, and limiting the US’ dependency on other countries for supply chain materials such as battery components.
As an American battery manufacturer developing cells that are not only more energy-dense, but also lighter, thinner, and less volatile than lithium-ion, it’s of little surprise that Solid Power has the backing of the DOE to keep doing its thing.
Scaled solid-state battery production still feel a ways away, but fresh funds from D.C. should certainly help push the development process forward – on home turf, nonetheless.
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Tesla has officially launched a new version of the Cybertruck RWD for $70,000 in the US and Mexico.
It’s more expensive than previously announced and loses a ton of features, but it has more range.
Earlier today, we reported on Tesla unveiling in the Middle East a new ‘Cybertruck Long Range’.
The automaker confirmed that it had a single rear-wheel-drive (RWD) motor, but unlike the previously announced Cybertruck RWD, Tesla said it had 350 rather than 250 miles of range.
This would point to having the same battery pack as the Dual Motor and Cyberbeast currently available.
At the time, it wasn’t clear if Tesla was launching this specific version for the Middle East or if it was the new Cybertruck RWD to replace the previously announced $62,000 version.
Now, Tesla has opened orders in the online configurator for the US and Mexico of the new Cybertruck Long Range RWD:
It starts at $70,000 before incentive – $9,000 more than the previously announced Cybertruck, but it has 100 more miles on a single charge at 350 miles.
It’s also $10,000 less expensive than the Cybertruck Dual Motor.
You not only lose a motor, but you also lose the powered tonneau. You can buy a “soft tonneau” for $750 and it increases the range to 362 miles:
The new cheaper version also loses the adaptive suspension, the lightbar at the back, the rear screen, and even the bed outlets, according to Tesla’s website.
Tesla says that deliveries are going to start in June.
Electrek’s Take
I might be wrong, but I would assume that the previously announced $61,000 Cybertruck is not going to happen. The Cybertruck is likely proving to be too low-volume to warrant producing different sizes of battery packs.
However, this version might be just to make the $80,000 Cybertruck look better.
It’s not to lose the AWD, the tonneau, the adaptive suspension, and even the bed outlets for $10,000.
These are all pretty essential features of the Cybertruck. I don’t think this version will sell much at $70,000. Maybe they get a few sales of people trying to take advantage of the $7,500 tax credit.
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![This electric excavator has battery swap tech that lets it recharge in minutes [update]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/electric-excavator.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
The electric construction equipment experts at XCMG just released a new, 25 ton electric crawler excavator ahead of bauma 2025 – and they have their eye on the global urban construction, mine operations, and logistical material handling markets.
UPDATE: telematics announcement.
Powered by a high-capacity 400 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery capable of delivering up to 8 hours of continuous operation, the XE215EV electric excavator promises uninterrupted operation at a lower cost of ownership and with even less downtime than its diesel counterparts.
XCMG is delivering on part of that reduced downtime promise with the lower maintenance and easier repair needs of electric equipment, and delivering on the rest of it with lickety-quick DC fast charging that can recharge the machine’s massive battery in 1.5-2 hours … but that’s not the slick bit. The XCMG XE125EV can be powered up without leaving the job site thanks to its BYD battery swap technology.
We first covered XCMG and its battery swap technology back in January, and covered similar battery-swap tech being developed by MOOG Construction offshoot ZQUIP, as well – but while XCMG’s battery tech has been in production for several years, it’s still not widely known about in the West (even within the industry).
XCMG showed off its latest electric equipment at the December 2024 bauma China, including an updated version of its of its 85-ton autonomous electric mining truck that features a fully cab-less design – meaning there isn’t even a place for an operator to sit, let alone operate. And that’s too bad, because what operator wouldn’t want to experience an electric truck putting down 1070 hp more than 16,000 lb-ft of torque!?
Easy in, easy out
The best part? All of the company’s heavy equipment assets – from excavators to terminal tractors to dump trucks and wheel loaders – all use the same 400 kWh BYD battery packs, Milwaukee tool style. That means an equipment fleet can utilize x number of vehicles with a fraction of the total battery capacity and material needs of other asset brands. That’s not just a smart use of limited materials, it’s a smarter use of energy.
You can check out all the XE215EV’s specs at this tear sheet, and get an in-person look at the Chinese company’s latest electric excavator this week in Munich, Germany.
Telematics announcement at bauma
Earlier today, XCMG launched its next-generation Xrea Global Telematics Platform, integrating IoT, big data, cloud computing, and AI to enable what it’s caling, “seamless cross-border fleet management.”
The new telematics platform supports a dozen languages via PC and mobile interfaces, and offers real-time diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and data-driven optimization of both the vehicle and the vehicle’s batteries, empowering equipment managers and fleet operators to track fleets across town, or across time zones.
“XCMG remains committed to advancing engineering technology to empower a sustainable future. Our mission is to deliver efficient, intelligent, and eco-friendly lifecycle solutions for global clients,” said Mr. Yang Dongsheng, Chairman of XCMG Group and XCMG Machinery. “Today, 19% of our product portfolio comprises green innovations under our ‘Green Mountain’ new energy line, with full electrification across all series underway.”
SOURCE | IMAGES: XCMG; via PR Newswire.
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