Toyota recently made headlines in the electric vehicle (EV) space, this time with a focus on solid-state batteries. What exactly is a solid-state battery, and could it really help Toyota overtake Tesla? Let’s dive into what’s being said about this emerging technology.
According to reports from Japan's Chunichi Shimbun, Toyota is developing an all-solid-state battery that can be charged in just minutes. The company plans to launch an EV using this technology as early as 2022 in Japan. However, when asked for more details, a Toyota spokesperson remained cautious, stating that while the company is committed to commercializing solid-state batteries by the early 2020s, no specific product timeline was confirmed.
One of the main advantages of solid-state batteries is their fast charging capability. Compared to the lithium-ion batteries used by Tesla, solid-state batteries offer higher energy density, better safety, and don’t require complex thermal management systems. This makes them potentially more efficient and cost-effective in the long run.
For example, Tesla and Panasonic’s 85 kWh battery pack weighs around 900 kg, whereas a solid-state battery from startup Seeo Inc with the same capacity only weighs 323 kg. That’s a significant reduction in weight and material use, which could translate into better performance and lower production costs.
Despite these benefits, why are companies like Tesla, Panasonic, and even Chinese giants such as CATL and BYD still heavily investing in ternary lithium batteries? The answer lies in the current state of solid-state battery development. While promising, the technology is still in its early stages and has not yet reached mass commercialization.
Looking at patent trends in China, solid-state battery research is growing, but it’s still far behind lithium-ion battery innovation. Companies like Ningbo University, USTC, Huawei, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences are among the top patent holders in this field.
Ningde Times, one of China’s leading battery manufacturers, has also been exploring solid-state battery technology. According to Guo Yongsheng, R&D manager at Ningde Times, the company is working on the challenges of manufacturing solid-state batteries, which require entirely different processes and equipment compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
The path to commercialization for solid-state batteries is expensive and technically complex. But history shows that as R&D investment increases, costs tend to drop. For example, Tesla’s battery prices fell from $1,200/kWh in 2008 to $190/kWh by 2016.
Toyota has been researching solid-state batteries since 2010, but recent media attention may have been triggered by a newly approved U.S. patent. The patent involves a special phosphate additive that improves thermal stability without compromising performance.
Despite these advancements, Toyota’s timeline for commercialization remains uncertain. Industry analysts suggest that there’s still a long way to go before solid-state batteries can be mass-produced and integrated into vehicles. As CLSA analyst Christopher Richter noted, “There’s a big gap between lab testing and mass production.â€
Other automakers, including BMW, Bosch, and even Dyson, are also investing in solid-state battery technology. BMW aims for commercialization within the next decade, while Bosch has invested €400 million annually in solid-state research. Dyson, after acquiring Sakti3, promised to build a $1 billion factory for solid-state batteries, targeting a commercial launch within one or two years.
In conclusion, while solid-state batteries hold great promise, they are still in the early stages of development. Whether Toyota can truly challenge Tesla with this technology depends on how quickly they can overcome technical and financial hurdles. For now, it’s an exciting but uncertain future for the EV industry. Stay tuned for more updates from car electronics experts.
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