The world’s largest automaker, Toyota, has been at the center of attention, balancing both criticism and applause for its cautious approach to electric vehicles. However, in a remarkable turn of events, the company has taken a leap forward in the EV race. With recent advancements in EV technology, Toyota has unveiled its groundbreaking solid-state battery, promising to revolutionize the entire industry.
Buckle up as we dive into the fascinating world of Toyota’s new solid-state battery and discover how it is poised to reshape the future of electric vehicles.
Despite the impressive progress of electric vehicles, range anxiety continues to be a major concern among potential buyers. Presently, the Lucid Motors Air sedan, particularly the Air Grand Touring, boasts the most extended range of up to 516 miles on a single charge. However, with a luxury price tag starting at $138,000, it remains unattainable for most consumers.
This is where Toyota steps in. In the late 1990s, Japanese automakers achieved a significant milestone by introducing the Toyota Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. It was a groundbreaking moment for electric mobility, featuring advanced battery technology that, when combined with its engine, achieved an astonishing 70 mpg, a feat unheard of at the time, in 1999.
Now, with its solid-state battery technology, Toyota seems to be on the verge of another historic event. This innovative technology could potentially establish a new benchmark for the industry and promises to provide its EVs with an astounding 750-mile range in addition to improved safety and affordability.
To comprehend the potential impact of solid-state batteries on the automotive industry, it is essential to grasp the distinctions between solid-state batteries and the prevalent lithium-ion batteries currently used in electric vehicles. While lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly found in most EVs on the road, utilize a liquid or gel-form electrolyte to facilitate the movement of charged particles between the battery’s electrodes, solid-state batteries present a revolutionary approach.
The use of liquid electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries introduces specific challenges and safety issues. These batteries are susceptible to leakage and overheating, thereby posing a significant risk to both the driver and passengers. The electrolytic material in lithium-ion batteries typically contains lithium salts and organic solvents, which are highly flammable and can ignite when exposed to oxygen. These safety concerns have garnered considerable attention, highlighting the pressing need for advanced battery technology.
Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries tend to degrade over time, resulting in diminished performance and capacity. This degradation necessitates costly battery replacements, increasing the overall ownership expenses for consumers. The limited lifespan of lithium-ion batteries further compounds the cost-related issues. These safety, durability, and cost-related challenges have spurred researchers and engineers to explore alternative battery technologies like solid-state batteries to address these drawbacks effectively.
Solid-state batteries present a notable advancement by replacing the liquid or gel-form electrolyte with a solid material, yielding several advantages. Foremost, the removal of the flammable liquid electrolyte significantly enhances battery safety, making solid-state batteries less susceptible to leakage, overheating, and associated fire risks. This heightened safety aspect is of the utmost importance for electric vehicles. Furthermore, solid-state batteries have the potential to provide a high energy density, enabling them to store more energy in the same amount of space.
The increased energy density could lead to extended driving ranges for EVs, alleviating consumers’ concerns about range anxiety. Additionally, solid-state batteries are expected to demonstrate better longevity and durability when compared to lithium-ion batteries. With reduced degradation over time, solid-state batteries have the potential to sustain performance and longevity, thereby reducing the need for frequent battery replacements and cutting down on ownership costs.
Due to their high energy density, solid-state batteries can be produced in more compact forms, preventing material expansion and shrinkage, which is a common degradation issue observed in lithium-ion batteries. This characteristic also translates to quicker charging times for electric vehicles. The longer lifespan offered by solid-state batteries may even surpass the vehicle’s overall lifespan. Nevertheless, there are challenges to be overcome before realizing these goals.
The high cost of producing advanced batteries, particularly solid-state batteries, presents a significant obstacle at present. Another challenge involves identifying a suitable solid electrolytic material that can effectively conduct the electrolytes at room temperature. Additionally, ensuring the long lifespan and durability of these batteries remains a persistent concern for engineers in the industry. It is crucial that these batteries can withstand numerous charge and discharge cycles over an extended period without experiencing significant degradation.
However, Toyota claims to have made substantial progress in addressing the lifespan issue and finding breakthrough solutions to these challenges. Through extensive research and development, the company aims to implement these advanced batteries into its vehicles in the coming years.
In a recent interview, Toyota’s chief technology officer, Hiroki Nakajima, announced that the company has successfully overcome the hurdle in solid-state battery development, saying, “We found quality material.” While specific details about the material were not disclosed, Toyota plans to introduce solid-state batteries as early as 2027. Toyota’s leadership in solid-state battery research is well-established, with an extensive portfolio of over 1,000 patents in this field. As part of their strategy, Toyota intends to initially deploy these batteries in their hybrid vehicles for a few years before launching their first fully electric vehicles.
When solid-state batteries become available around 2027 or 2028, Toyota claims their EVs will achieve an impressive range of 745 miles, surpassing the current record holder, the Lucid Air, which offers a range of up to 516 miles. Furthermore, Toyota’s advanced technology aims to significantly reduce charging times, with the expectation of achieving a full charge in just 10 minutes.
In the future, Toyota has ambitious plans to introduce a second-generation solid-state battery technology that will revolutionize its electric vehicles. According to projections, this advanced battery is set to offer an impressive range of 932 miles on a single charge, surpassing the capabilities of their current EV, the bZ4X, which currently has a range of approximately 252 miles. Additionally, the charging times for these new batteries are expected to be under 10 minutes, significantly reducing the time required for recharging.
To provide some context, this new technology would more than double the current range of Toyota’s EVs and reduce charging times by approximately 67%. These improvements in range and charging speed are substantial and effectively address two crucial factors influencing electric vehicle adoption and convenience. Despite these exciting advancements, it’s important to note that the widespread adoption of Toyota’s new solid-state battery technology is projected to occur by the end of the decade.
The primary reason for the delay in the widespread adoption of solid-state batteries is the high production costs associated with manufacturing these advanced batteries. To make electric vehicles equipped with this new battery technology affordable for customers and achieve mass production, Toyota must continue its efforts to find ways to reduce manufacturing costs.
However, Toyota is not the only player in this field, as several other automakers are also actively engaged in a race to commercialize solid-state batteries. In November 2022, Honda made an exciting announcement about a new polymer fabric that could potentially extend the lifespan of current solid-state batteries. Though specific details about charging times and expected ranges have not been disclosed by Honda, they plan to make these batteries available to the public by 2028.
While Toyota has faced criticism for lagging behind some other car brands in the EV industry, it appears that the time they spent waiting has not been in vain, as the company now has ambitious plans for expansion.
Despite selling a relatively modest 20,000 EVs worldwide last year, Toyota has set ambitious targets to bolster its presence in the EV sector. The company aims to increase its annual sales to an impressive 1.5 million units by 2026, with the goal of doubling that number by 2030. These targets demonstrate Toyota’s strong determination to accelerate its growth and leadership in the electric vehicle market. The company’s vision to emerge as one of the leading electric vehicle manufacturers by the 2030s largely depends on its success in developing a cost-effective manufacturing process for its advanced batteries.
Additionally, Toyota is exploring opportunities to enhance its volume and profitability by sharing its new EV technologies with its alliance of carmakers, which includes Subaru, Mazda, Suzuki, and Daihatsu, as well as truck manufacturers Hino and Isuzu. This collaboration forms a formidable Japanese alliance with a combined global sales volume of 16.3 million units. In the last fiscal year, Toyota, together with Daihatsu and Hino, sold 10.56 million vehicles globally. Subaru contributed 852,000 units, Mazda recorded 1.11 million, Suzuki added another 3 million, and Isuzu rounded out the group with 771,000 trucks.
Toyota has already been cooperating with Subaru, co-developing the bZ4X, which is also marketed as the Subaru Solterra. The partnership extends further, as Toyota has committed to supplying its hybrid drivetrains to a range of next-generation hybrids planned by Subaru.
To bolster mutual growth and cost efficiency, Toyota’s Chief Technology Officer, Nakajima, expresses a desire to expand such collaborative supply arrangements. He envisions the possibility of sharing their innovative technologies if they aid others in achieving carbon neutrality.