Why Is Everyone Trying to Build a Solid-State Battery?

“If, however, the liquid electrolyte were replaced with some sort of solid material, these dendrites might stop being a problem.”

CATL has put more than a thousand people on solid-state and its own chairman rates the technology 4 out of 9 for readiness. Western startups have raised over $4 billion chasing the same prize. The appeal is straightforward, since a solid electrolyte would kill dendrites and let you drop the dead weight, and as of 2019 every gram of reacting lithium hauled around 70 grams of supporting material. Potter is clear that none of this is close. The money is being raised on the version where it is.