Revolution on Wheels: Samsung and LG Unveil Next-Gen Battery at World’s Largest Commercial Vehicle Expo

Samsung and LG to participate in ‘IAA Transportation 2024’
Samsung SDI Unveils Next-Generation ‘LFP+ Battery’
LG Unveils First Pouch-Type High-Voltage Mid-Nickel CTP

▲Samsung SDI’s exhibition booth at ‘IAA Transportation 2024’ held in Hanover, Germany from the 17th. (Photo courtesy of Samsung SDI)

Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution will participate in the world’s largest commercial vehicle exhibition to showcase next-generation batteries. In particular, the two companies plan to actively respond to the global electric vehicle market.

According to industry sources on the 18th, ‘IAA Transportation 2024 (IAA)’ will be held in Hanover, Germany from the 17th to the 22nd (local time). IAA is the world’s largest automobile exhibition with a tradition of over 120 years, held every other year for commercial vehicles and passenger cars in even and odd years respectively.

Samsung SDI unveiled its next-generation battery lineup, including LFP+ batteries optimized for electric commercial vehicles, all-solid-state batteries, and 46-pie cylindrical batteries, under the theme of ‘A Sustainable Future Realized with PRiMX.’

▲Samsung SDI ‘LFP_ Battery’ (Data provided by Samsung SDI)

Samsung SDI’s LFP+ battery has improved energy density by more than 10% compared to LFP batteries by applying new plate technology. It has secured long-life performance that can travel back and forth between Hanover and Frankfurt more than 1,400 times. It also applied rapid charging technology that can charge up to 80% in 20 minutes. It is currently in mass production discussions with a number of customers.

Samsung SDI also exhibited next-generation batteries, all-solid-state batteries and 46-pie batteries. Samsung SDI’s all-solid-state batteries can achieve the industry’s highest energy density by applying its own non-cathode technology. Samsung SDI has been supplying samples to customers since the end of last year and is proceeding with commercialization in 2027 as planned. The 46-pie cylindrical battery is scheduled for mass production in early 2025, about a year earlier than planned, due to securing new customers for micromobility.

▲LG Energy Solution’s ‘IAA Transportation 2024’ booth

LG Energy Solution is unveiling its next-generation battery, a pouch-type high-voltage mid-nickel (Mid-Ni) cell-to-pack (CTP) product for the first time.

High-voltage mid-nickel is a product that increases stability by increasing manganese content in addition to nickel content of 40-60%, and increases energy density through high voltage. It is relatively inexpensive by lowering the proportion of expensive nickel and cobalt.

CTP is a form that removes the module stage from the existing battery configuration and assembles the cells directly into the pack. It can increase energy density and reduce battery weight and cost. LG Energy Solution succeeded in implementing a ‘pouch-type CTP’ that further improved energy density per weight.

▲LG Energy Solution’s ‘IAA Transportation 2024’ booth (Photo courtesy of LG Energy Solution)

The ‘pouch-type high-voltage mid-nickel’ on display this time has a maximum driving range of 600 km for large trucks, enabling long-distance driving, and also boasts a long lifespan of 5,000 cycles, making it suitable for commercial vehicles with frequent charging and discharging.

In addition, LG Energy Solution will exhibit a variety of high-capacity, high-output products that meet the high performance standards of electric commercial vehicles.

Cell and module products that use high-content silicon anode materials that can innovatively shorten the charging time, as well as NCMA products that use high-energy density high-nickel and aluminum for increased stability, will be exhibited. Also on display will be 2170 cylindrical battery cells, modules, and packs that have already been recognized in the commercial vehicle market, such as those installed in Isuzu electric trucks.

As environmental regulations on internal combustion engine commercial vehicles have been strengthened in Europe and North America, the electric commercial vehicle market is expected to grow rapidly, and both companies plan to respond with the best solution.

According to market research firm SNE Research, the electric commercial vehicle market, including electric trucks and electric buses, is expected to grow by an average of 25% annually from approximately 47 GWh in 2024 to 177 GWh in 2030.