# Next-generation lithium batteries

Solid-state, lithium-sulphur and lithium-air cells, mostly still in development.

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_li_next/

Storage · Electrochemical · No. 70

- Storage
- Duration: Hours
 Storage · Electrochemical · Foundation · Energy

A lithium-sulphur cell could in theory store about 2,600 Wh per kilogram, over eight times today's best mass-produced batteries.

Chart: Illustration: Next-generation lithium batteries

##### Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

These cells swap the liquid electrolyte for a solid, or use sulphur or oxygen as the cathode; lithium-air could reach up to 1,200 Wh/kg.

##### Three things to know

1. Only semi-solid-state cells are on sale today, and they must run warm, at roughly 60 to 90 C, to conduct.
2. A lithium-air lab cell managed at least 1,000 cycles in 2023, but cycle life is still the main barrier.
3. The target keeps moving: average lithium-ion packs fell to USD 108/kWh in 2025, with LFP at USD 81/kWh.

##### The journey

1. 1 **Lab chemistry**Solid electrolytes, sulphur or air cathodes
2. 2 **Prototype cells**Pouch cells near 450-500 Wh/kg
3. 3 **Pilot plants**Lyten plans 10 GWh in Nevada
4. 4 **Premium cars**Toyota and BYD target 2027-2028
5. 5 **Later markets**Robots, drones, perhaps electric aircraft
 Covered in [Storing energy: from fuel stocks to batteriesEnergy](https://www.materialinsights.org/learn/energy/storing-energy/)

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## Other sections

- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_li_next/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_li_next/correlation/index.md)
- [Science and technology](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_li_next/sg-sci/index.md)
- [Engineering and performance](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_li_next/sg-eng/index.md)
- [Economics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_li_next/sg-econ/index.md)
- [Impact and additionality](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_li_next/sg-impact/index.md)
- [What to track](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_li_next/tracking/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_li_next/links/index.md)