Automotive giant Toyota has made an announcement that could rewrite the rules of the electric vehicle world. The company announced plans to launch the world’s first fully solid-state battery-powered electric vehicle in 2027 or 2028. To this end, it has signed a joint agreement with Japan-based Sumitomo Metal Mining to develop the cathode materials needed for the mass production of solid-state batteries. This development could mark the beginning of an exciting new era in the electric vehicle market.
Toyota is poised to make its mark in the electric vehicle market
Current lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles use a liquid electrolyte to store energy. Solid-state technology replaces this liquid with a solid material. This change aims to enable batteries to be smaller, have higher output, charge much faster, and last longer. Experts have described this technology as a “holy grail” for battery developers for years, and significant advances have been made with ceramic-based materials in recent years.
Toyota is forming various partnerships to accelerate its work in this area. It has been announced that significant breakthroughs have been made in cathode materials as a result of joint research conducted with Sumitomo Metal Mining since 2021. It is also collaborating with Japanese oil giant Idemitsu Kosan on another critical component of the technology, the solid electrolyte. Toyota believes these partnerships will accelerate the launch of its next-generation electric vehicles.
However, Toyota is not alone in this race. Chinese battery manufacturers CATL and BYD, pioneers of electric vehicle technology, are also working intensively on their own solid-state solutions. In fact, some research institutes in China are reportedly developing solutions that could pave the way for batteries that could deliver a range of over 600 miles (approximately 965 km) on a single charge. Meanwhile, SAIC MG became the first brand to mass-produce a semi-solid-state technology in its MG 4 model.
European manufacturers are also fiercely competitive. Mercedes-Benz achieved an impressive range of 750 miles (approximately 1,200 km) on a single charge with its prototype EQS model. BMW, on the other hand, achieved significant success in high energy density with its solid-state battery-powered i7 prototype. Giants like Volkswagen-backed QuantumScape, Honda, and the Stellantis Group also state that they are not far behind in this race with their own technologies.
According to experts, there’s a significant difference between developing the technology in a laboratory setting and mass-producing millions of units. The real challenge is producing batteries that meet automotive standards at affordable prices and in high volumes. This process is progressing more slowly and expensively than anticipated. While Toyota could be the first in 2027, production challenges could slow the process. The next two to three years appear to determine the fate of this “holy grail” technology.
So, what are your thoughts on this technology race? Do you believe Toyota can outpace its competitors and launch the first solid-state battery-powered vehicle? Share your thoughts with us.
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