Toyota edges closer to solid-state battery mass production – and it could be a game-changer for future EVs
During a recent announcementToyota said it has partnered with Japanese company Idemitsu Kosan to develop the mass production technology of solid electrolytes, bringing the auto giant closer to large-scale production of solid-state batteries for electric vehicles.
Solid-state batteries are often cited as a game-changer for the EV industry, addressing some of the biggest issues currently facing electric transportation. Toyota suggests that upcoming production models could have a range of 1,200 km (745 miles), more than double the range. of current EVs.
Charging times can also be drastically reduced (think about 10 minutes) with the right charging stations, while the overall lifespan of a battery that uses solid materials for its electrolyte composition, rather than liquid ones, would be significantly improved.
The partnership with Idemitsu aims to “ensure the successful commercialization of fully solid-state batteries in 2027 or 2028,” followed by “full mass production” thereafter, as stated in a recent Toyota press release.
According to the Japanese automaker, Idemitsu has been working on solid-state battery technology since 2001 and has developed solid sulfide electrolytes, which are seen as a “promising material to achieve high capacity and output for BEVs (battery electric vehicles)”. They are also made with byproducts from petroleum refining.
The joint venture will determine whether this technology can be scaled efficiently, with a particular focus on the overall costs, quality and lead times that will play such an important role in the eventual mass production and adoption of solid-state battery technology.
Despite the difficulties associated with the complex production methods, Toyota engineers are confident they can be close to rolling out the technology on the proposed dates, said The Financial Times.
Good news for distance anxiety, bad news for the planet?
It feels like for every good news story surrounding electric vehicles, there almost always has to be a downside.
Solid-state battery technology is no different, because while it will deliver a huge improvement in range and a reduction in charging times, SSBs are also a lot more difficult to recycle.
Unlike their liquid electrolyte counterparts, SSBs require their layers of cathode anode cells to be stacked and the solid electrode materials within are often fused, making them difficult and very energy intensive to separate at the end of their life.
Instead, manufacturers will have to get smart with alternative uses for older SSBs. Although their lifespan is expected to extend beyond current battery technology, which is already vastly outperforming original estimates.