The future of mobility is electric, but batteries are still a bottleneck. To extend range, cut charge times, and improve safety, we need materials that don’t exist yet. That’s where quantum simulation comes in. By modeling materials at the atomic level, quantum tools can dramatically accelerate battery innovation, unlocking the next generation of energy storage for EVs.
Case: Battery and material innovation with quantum simulation
The transition to electric mobility depends on better batteries. Quantum simulation can model materials at the atomic level to accelerate breakthroughs in battery design. This includes safer solid-state electrolytes and higher-capacity anodes.
Business value
- Faster development of advanced batteries: Simulations speed up discovery cycles, reducing the time needed to test new materials.
- Improved energy density and charging: New designs can deliver longer driving ranges and shorter charging times.
- Reduced R&D costs: Companies spend less on trial-and-error experiments by predicting material performance more accurately.
- Support for electrification and sustainability: Better batteries support climate goals and make electric vehicles more attractive to consumers.
Technology readiness
Quantum simulation is already being used in research environments to model materials at the atomic scale. While current quantum hardware is limited, hybrid approaches combine quantum algorithms with classical high-performance computing to deliver useful insights. Several automotive and chemical companies are building pilot projects to explore solid-state electrolytes and high-capacity anodes. Widespread use in commercial R&D workflows will depend on the maturity of quantum platforms, which is expected to grow steadily in the next five to ten years. Early adopters are already gaining a head start by embedding quantum tools into their material discovery pipelines.
Leading players and experiments
Volkswagen and Ford are partnering with quantum software providers to accelerate materials research for electric vehicle batteries, aiming to develop longer-lasting and safer energy storage.
IBM and Microsoft offer cloud-based quantum platforms that enable automotive r&d teams to simulate complex chemical processes at the atomic level.
BASF, a global leader in chemistry, is exploring how quantum simulations can unlock new materials for automotive use.
Quantum Motion, a UK-based startup, is working on hardware that could power large-scale simulations for materials discovery, with applications in battery innovation.
Conclusion to the series
The future of mobility will not be defined by incremental upgrades but by bold leaps. Quantum technologies are opening doors to entirely new ways of moving people and goods. Imagine cities where congestion is anticipated and dissolved before it forms, vehicles that navigate seamlessly even without satellites, and networks of cars that communicate securely in real time. Electric vehicles will drive further, charge faster, and rely on batteries designed with quantum precision.
This is not distant science fiction. The first pilots are already underway, proving the business case and laying the foundation for global transformation. The real question is who will lead the charge.
Belgium, with its strong research base, thriving startup culture, and collaborative ecosystem, is ready to claim a central role in shaping this future. By uniting business, technology, research, society, and ecosystems, we can ensure that the quantum shift in mobility is not only innovative but also inclusive and impactful.
Discover more use cases here.
