Toyota’s new solid-state battery tech to enhance EV range & reduce cost

Toyota plans to enhance its electric vehicles by introducing advanced solid-state batteries and implementing other technologies to enhance range, performance, and cost-efficiency. Toyota advances mass production method for solid-state batteries, plans commercialisation by 2027-2028.

Further Toyota stated “With the evolution of the vehicle's operating system, the next-generation battery EV will also enable customisation of the driving feel,' with a focus on acceleration, turning and stopping,". Toyota made the announcement ahead of its annual shareholders meeting, acknowledging the need to catch up in the EV market.

The company's stock rose by 4.45 percent to 2,161 yen. According to Toyota, they will develop an electric vehicle with a more efficient lithium-ion battery, offering a range of 1,000 km. However, specific details about costs, manufacturing location, and solid-state battery production were not provided.

Battery technology

Toyota is working on ways to enhance battery performance and lower costs. They are now shifting their focus from research to actually producing solid-state batteries, which offer higher energy density and faster charging compared to the current lithium-ion batteries. Toyota plans to sell vehicles equipped with these advanced batteries by 2027 or 2028.

They have also announced a significant technological advancement in addressing durability issues associated with solid-state batteries, although specific information has not been disclosed. Toyota announced plans to develop a high-capacity battery for an electric vehicle (EV) by 2026. This battery will allow the EV to travel up to 1,000 km on a single charge and can be recharged in 20 minutes or less.

Additionally, Toyota aims to reduce the cost of the battery by 20 percent compared to their current EV, the bZ4X. Furthermore, Toyota intends to manufacture lower-cost lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries for use in EVs by 2026 or 2027. These batteries are expected to increase the range by 20 percent and decrease costs by 40 percent when compared to the bZ4X.

Production technology

Toyota plans to adopt Tesla's Giga casting production process to make its next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable and easier to manufacture. Giga casting involves using a large aluminum die-casting machine to simplify and streamline the production of car parts.

To further reduce costs, Toyota intends to implement flexible assembly lines with self-propelled vehicles and digital technology. This approach can help cut factory investment expenses by half and lower fixed costs, including labor expenses.