Toyota and Idemitsu Partner to Mass-Produce All-Solid-State Batteries, Accelerating the Electric Vehicle Revolution
Toyota and Idemitsu Kosan have announced a partnership to develop and mass-produce all-solid-state batteries, joining forces in the race towards electric vehicles (EVs). The companies plan to commercialize the next-generation batteries by 2027-2028 and subsequently begin full-scale production. Toyota aims to regain ground lost to competitors like Tesla and BYD by introducing these batteries, which promise to significantly improve the driving range of EVs. Toyota claims to have made a “technological breakthrough” that addresses durability issues in solid-state batteries and is actively working on mass production methods. Idemitsu Kosan, Japan’s second-largest oil refiner, has expertise in solid sulfide electrolyte, a crucial material for these batteries. By combining their material development and manufacturing technologies, Toyota and Idemitsu Kosan aim to achieve full-scale mass production of all-solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries are highly anticipated in the automotive industry due to their higher energy capacity compared to current liquid electrolyte batteries, potentially accelerating the transition to EVs. Toyota envisions an EV powered by solid-state batteries with a range of 1,200 km (746 miles) and only a 10-minute charging time. However, the cost of these batteries is expected to remain high for the foreseeable future. Idemitsu Kosan has been expanding its involvement in EV battery supply chains, including increasing its stake in Australian lithium developer Delta Lithium earlier this year.
Date: October 12, 2023