SES AI Corporation, a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance Li-Metal batteries, announced a major step in its commercialization of this next-generation battery technology. The company’s 100 Ah Li-Metal cells for automotive applications are the first in the industry to pass safety tests required by China’s GB38031-2020 Electric Vehicles Traction Battery Safety Standard.

This certification is used by all of SES AI’s EV OEM partners, as well as many of the other leading manufacturers, as a global standard.

GB38031-2020 is a mandatory national standard in the world’s largest EV market, China, specifically designed for the electric vehicle sector, encompassing a series of rigorous tests such as overcharge, over discharge, external short circuit, heating, temperature cycling, and crushing.

Compliance with GB38031-2020 demonstrates that SES AI’s 100 Ah Li-Metal cells can effectively manage safety risks under these stringent test conditions. This achievement further solidifies SES AI's commitment to safety and excellence, following last year’s acquisition of the UN38.3 safety certificate, the company says.

The results are highly encouraging, affirming our decade-long commitment to refining Li-Metal chemistry and enhancing the safety of Li-Metal batteries. There are two types of safety tests that Li-Metal needs to pass for EV and UAM, abuse and in-use. For abuse tests, passing GB38031-2020 is a key milestone, it’s also the first time in the industry that a high energy density cell such as Li-Metal passes the rigorous safety tests of GB38031-2020. In addition, for in-use safety, our AI for Safety can predict and prevent almost 100% of incidents in the field. When you combine the GB38031-2020 for abuse and AI for Manufacturing for in-use, this is a major milestone toward the commercialization of Li-Metal for EV and UAM applications.

—Qichao Hu, Founder and CEO of SES AI

This announcement bolsters the commercialization momentum SES AI ignited earlier this year when it moved into the next phase of a JDA with Hyundai, making it the only Li-Metal battery company with two automotive B-sample agreements in progress.