Toyota is intensifying its efforts to develop all-solid-state batteries, aiming to be the first company to implement this technology in electric vehicles (EVs). The automaker’s first all-solid-state battery-powered model is projected to hit the market by 2027, promising enhanced driving ranges and quicker charging times. A newly announced collaboration with Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. seeks to facilitate the mass production of essential cathode materials, marking a significant step towards achieving practical applications of this groundbreaking battery technology.
The advancement involves a shift from traditional liquid-based battery systems to all-solid-state alternatives, which utilize a solid electrolyte alongside a cathode and an anode. Toyota underscores that this innovation has the potential for superior performance, including greater energy density, increased longevity, and compact designs. Both Toyota and Sumitomo have been jointly focused on developing these cathode materials since 2021, overcoming critical mass production challenges using proprietary technologies. The partnership aims to streamline the path toward scaling up production of these new batteries.
Recently, Toyota secured a METI certification to begin manufacturing these advanced batteries in Japan, part of a broader strategy to establish a domestic supply chain that reduces dependency on imports. Collaborating with companies like Idemitsu Kosan, which is setting up a production facility for lithium sulfide, Toyota is set to introduce its new batteries efficiently. Idemitsu plans to produce 1,000 metric tons of lithium sulfide annually and aims to begin mass production of all-solid-state batteries by the same target year of 2027.
Japan’s initiative reflects a collective investment of around $7 billion in domestic battery manufacturing as several firms, including Toyota, race to harness the benefits of solid-state technology. However, the competitive landscape is fierce, with major automotive players such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen also developing similar technologies. Mercedes has made headlines recently for launching what it claims is the first vehicle utilizing lithium-metal solid-state batteries, showcasing ambitious plans to incorporate this technology into mass production by the decade’s end.
As established battery manufacturers like CATL and BYD continue to dominate the global market, they are also exploring the capabilities of solid-state batteries for similar deployment periods. Meanwhile, SAIC MG has already launched its MG4, promoting it as the first mass-produced semi-solid-state electric vehicle. With ongoing investments and strategic partnerships, Toyota is working diligently to turn its solid-state battery vision into reality, but whether it can genuinely claim the title of “world’s first” remains uncertain amidst growing competition.