TOKYO: Japan’s largest car manufacturer Toyota agreed to cooperate on Thursday Idemitsu, a major Japanese oil company, on technology for mass production of solid-state batteries that promise to be a key component in future electric vehicles. The deal is a major step for Toyota Motor Corp., which has vowed to accelerate its battery EV offerings and catch up after falling behind rivals such as Tesla and China’s BYD. Toyota is lagging behind in part due to the success of hybrids, such as the Prius, which are equipped with both gasoline and battery motors.
Toyota, with its manufacturing finess, and Idemitsu, owner of materials technologies, said they aim for successful commercialization of all-solid-state batteries in 2027 or 2028, followed by full-scale mass production.
“Through repeated trial and error efforts, we have managed to develop a material that is more stable and less prone to cracking,” Toyota CEO Koji Sato told reporters in Tokyo after shaking hands with his counterpart at Idemitsu.
“The future of mobility lies in the connection between the automotive and energy sectors, including this innovation from Japan,” he said.
It is widely believed that solid-state batteries are essential for the mass commercialization of battery-powered electric vehicles. The lithium-ion batteries, whose components are liquid, are now commonly used in electric vehicles, but are prone to fire. Solid-state batteries are more stable and potentially more powerful, but generally more expensive.
“The era of the solid-state battery is upon us,” said Shunichi Kito, CEO of Idemistu Kosan Co..
Idemitsu has been researching basic technologies for fully solid-state batteries since 2001. Toyota started in 2006. Kito said recent innovations will help the batteries now in production overcome the lead that lithium-ion batteries have had over electric vehicles.
The collaboration focuses on solid sulfide electrolytes, materials that are soft, adhesive and suitable for mass production, the companies said. Kito said Idemitsu developed mass production technology related to solid sulfide electrolytes by studying petroleum refining byproducts.
The companies plan a large pilot facility to develop solid sulfide electrolytes, with special attention paid to quality and cost. Mass production would follow.
Many of the world’s top automakers are working on solid-state batteries, including domestic rival Nissan Motor Co. and the American manufacturer Ford Motor Co. But some technological challenges remain.
Toyota, which makes the Lexus luxury models and the Camry sedan, has said it will offer a commercial solid-state battery as early as 2027, cutting charging time, one of the main drawbacks of electric vehicles, to 10 minutes or less .
It plans to deliver 1.5 million electric vehicles by 2026 by expanding its range of electric batteries.
Toyota, with its manufacturing finess, and Idemitsu, owner of materials technologies, said they aim for successful commercialization of all-solid-state batteries in 2027 or 2028, followed by full-scale mass production.
“Through repeated trial and error efforts, we have managed to develop a material that is more stable and less prone to cracking,” Toyota CEO Koji Sato told reporters in Tokyo after shaking hands with his counterpart at Idemitsu.
“The future of mobility lies in the connection between the automotive and energy sectors, including this innovation from Japan,” he said.
It is widely believed that solid-state batteries are essential for the mass commercialization of battery-powered electric vehicles. The lithium-ion batteries, whose components are liquid, are now commonly used in electric vehicles, but are prone to fire. Solid-state batteries are more stable and potentially more powerful, but generally more expensive.
“The era of the solid-state battery is upon us,” said Shunichi Kito, CEO of Idemistu Kosan Co..
Idemitsu has been researching basic technologies for fully solid-state batteries since 2001. Toyota started in 2006. Kito said recent innovations will help the batteries now in production overcome the lead that lithium-ion batteries have had over electric vehicles.
The collaboration focuses on solid sulfide electrolytes, materials that are soft, adhesive and suitable for mass production, the companies said. Kito said Idemitsu developed mass production technology related to solid sulfide electrolytes by studying petroleum refining byproducts.
The companies plan a large pilot facility to develop solid sulfide electrolytes, with special attention paid to quality and cost. Mass production would follow.
Many of the world’s top automakers are working on solid-state batteries, including domestic rival Nissan Motor Co. and the American manufacturer Ford Motor Co. But some technological challenges remain.
Toyota, which makes the Lexus luxury models and the Camry sedan, has said it will offer a commercial solid-state battery as early as 2027, cutting charging time, one of the main drawbacks of electric vehicles, to 10 minutes or less .
It plans to deliver 1.5 million electric vehicles by 2026 by expanding its range of electric batteries.
