Ilika (AIM: IKA, OTCQX: ILIKF), a UK-based pioneer in solid-state battery technology, has reached a significant milestone in its development of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The company has successfully prototyped a 50Ah Goliath battery, marking a crucial step towards commercialization of its innovative technology.
This achievement is the result of the Faraday Battery Challenge HISTORY programme, a collaborative effort involving eight partners and supported by £8.2 million (US$10.6 million) in grant funding. The programme, which began in January 2023, aims to integrate high silicon content electrodes into Ilika’s solid-state batteries to achieve automotive-level performance.
The 50Ah prototype represents the capacity that Ilika will now optimize for its minimum viable product for EVs. This new battery technology is expected to offer several advantages over conventional lithium-ion batteries, including reduced costs, increased EV range, and faster charging times.
Graeme Purdy, CEO of Ilika, commented on the achievement: “This milestone marks the successful conclusion of a grant-funded collaboration, which has enabled Ilika to prototype large EV batteries in readiness for closer engagement with automotive partners.”
The development follows recent progress in Ilika’s commercialization efforts. In 2024, the company began commercial testing, shipped its first batch of prototype Goliath batteries to customers, and released validated safety data. Additionally, Ilika recently demonstrated manufacturing capabilities in a gigascale factory setting using industry-standard equipment at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre.
Professor Paul Shearing of Oxford University, who participated in the HISTORY programme, praised Ilika’s progress: “Through strong collaborations which span industry and academia, this impressive demonstration is a significant milestone in the successful delivery of the programme.”
Ilika’s solid-state battery technology differs from traditional lithium-ion batteries by using a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid one. This design offers potential benefits in terms of energy density, safety, and recyclability. The company’s Goliath batteries employ a ceramic electrolyte with a silicon anode and an oxide solid electrolyte, which could lead to lighter vehicles, faster charging, and extended range.
The next steps for Ilika include further optimization based on initial test results, followed by a build and test programme in the second half of 2025. The company aims to release batteries of this capacity for partner evaluation by the end of 2025.
Ilika’s progress aligns with the UK government’s recent announcement of £2 billion (US$2.58 billion) in funding for the electrification of the transport sector. Purdy expressed optimism about securing further support for Goliath commercialization through this initiative.
The company’s business model involves licensing its intellectual property portfolio to OEMs and manufacturing partners in exchange for license fees and future royalties. This approach could position Ilika to benefit from the growing demand for advanced battery technologies in the EV market. As the automotive industry continues its shift towards electrification, innovations in battery technology like Ilika’s Goliath solid-state batteries could play a crucial role in addressing current limitations and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles.
