Toyota Is Edging Closer To Mass Production Of Solid-State Batteries

Even though Tesla's disappointing financial data from the last quarter may cast a shadow over the entire electric vehicle industry, Toyota may not be the one being affected, as the Japanese automaker recently announced that they are close to achieving mass production of solid-state batteries.

 

Toyota's recent breakthroughs in production technology and materials have allowed them to approach the speed of manufacturing next-generation solid-state batteries, similar to their existing electric vehicle battery production. This positions them to potentially begin large-scale production of solid-state batteries around 2027 or 2028, putting them ahead in the global race to commercialize this new battery technology.

 

Solid-state batteries have long been hailed by industry experts as a potential game-changing technology because they can address long-standing issues in electric vehicle batteries, such as charging time, capacity, and fire risk. For example, Toyota anticipates that their solid-state batteries could extend the range of their electric cars to 1,200 kilometers, more than double the current range of electric vehicles, with a charging time of under 10 minutes.

 

However, solid-state batteries come with significant challenges, including high production costs and technical complexities. These challenges include addressing the extreme sensitivity of solid-state batteries to humidity and oxygen, as well as controlling external mechanical pressure to prevent the formation of dendritic growth.

 

Additionally, according to Toyota, the assembly process is the most critical and challenging part of large-scale solid-state battery production, as it requires fast and high-precision stacking of anode and cathode battery layers without damaging the materials.

 

Therefore, Goldman Sachs had earlier warned that achieving large-scale production of solid-state batteries within the next decade would be relatively difficult. Some analysts also estimate that the manufacturing cost of solid-state batteries is currently more than 30% higher than that of liquid batteries, and even mature semi-solid-state batteries are expected to be 10% to 20% more expensive in large-scale production compared to liquid lithium-ion batteries.

 

However, these challenges seem less of a concern for Toyota now.

 

When asked about the progress of solid-state battery development, Toyota stated that they are close to being able to produce solid-state batteries at the same speed as current lithium-ion batteries. A Toyota engineer also stated, In terms of the stacking speed, we are almost there. We are going to roll out bigger volumes and check the quality.

 

In September of last year, Toyota led journalists, analysts, and investors on a tour of a factory in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, where Toyota will produce future solid-state batteries. During the tour, Toyota claimed to have found a solution for materials that extends battery life and provides stable performance.

 

Additionally, last week, Toyota also announced a partnership with the energy group, Idemitsu Kosan, to jointly develop and produce solid-state battery materials called sulfide solid electrolytes, which both companies believe hold the most potential in addressing durability issues.

 

With repeated efforts involving trial and error, we have succeeded in developing a material that is more stable and less prone to crack, Toyota chief executive Koji Sato had then told reporters. The future of mobility lies in the tie-up between the auto and energy sectors, including this innovation hailing from Japan, he said.

 

However, despite growing confidence in manufacturing technology and materials, Toyota's executives also acknowledge that the company still needs to improve how they ensure the quality of battery materials when mass-producing solid-state batteries. Toyota President Akio Toyoda stated at a press conference last week that when the company introduces solid-state batteries to the market, likely around 2027, they may not ramp up production immediately due to quality considerations.

 

I think the most important thing at the moment is to put out [the solid-state batteries] into the world and we will consider expansion in volume from there, said Toyota's leader.

 

Meanwhile, although they have made technological breakthroughs, Toyota is not resting easy in terms of the progress of solid-state batteries, as other companies within the industry have recently made advancements as well. Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) revealed plans to begin large-scale production of semi-solid-state batteries before the end of the year, and South Korea's Samsung SDI has already completed a fully automated trial production line for solid-state batteries.

$TM(TM)