Project Sublime: Sulfide electrolyte solid-state batteries for EV applications

The EU-funded SUBLIME project will help develop a complete value chain for new sulfide electrolyte-based solid-state battery cells with high capacity and high voltage stability.

Wide global deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) is necessary to reduce transport related emissions, as transport is responsible for around a quarter of EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and more than two thirds of transport-related GHG emissions are from road transport.

The overall aim of the SUBLIME project is to significantly increase EV adoption by taking on the technical challenges that are presented by the consumer needs – especially the reduction in costs of EVs, increasing their capabilities regarding long distance traveling and fast charging.

The SUBLIME concept entails development of a complete value chain, from requirements to testing, for new sulfide electrolyte based solid-state battery cells with high capacity and high voltage stability.

A strong consortium covers all technical areas ranging from materials supply, battery component development, testing, mass production as well as end-users. The consortium of 15 partners from 8 different European countries representing industrial companies, SMEs, RTOs and academia is coordinated by FEV Group.

Find out more about:
EU-Funded energy projects
Electric Vehicles
Energy storage

The SUBLIME technology

SUBLIME proposes the usage of high capacity and high voltage electrode materials combined with a sulfide electrolyte. Li metal as anode (LiM), Ni rich NMC material e.g. or NMC90505 as cathode are foreseen to be used to achieve the targeted energy density. The battery will be inherently safe and will be able to operate at room temperature or lower; thus facilitating the start of the vehicle in broad operating conditions.

Interfaces showing a fast Li-ion transport will be developed in the project and partners will focus on developing intimate and (electro)-chemically stable interfaces with strong mechanical properties. The interfaces will be specifically designed to increase stability of the component and the malleable nature of the sulfide enables good interfacial contact.

SUBLIME will bring the sulfide electrolyte solid-state battery technology to TRL 6. The scale-up to pre-industrial volume will ensure that results are, indeed, scalable to large-volume commercial manufacturing. SUBLIME will deliver a roadmap to 2030, enabling eventual market entry by a very strong constellation of European partners.

Research and Innovation started on the materials level developing complementing cathode (Ni-rich NMC), anode (thin Li metal), and sulfide electrolyte materials. Subsequently, processing methods were investigated to optimize parameters for manufacturing of cell components. Special focus was put on the electrolyte film preparation.

Finally, cell assembly, testing and performance evaluation concluded the development phase. In parallel, safety testing and simulations further increased the understanding of the system and identified potential further developments.