Toyota hopes to become the first automaker to launch an electric car with solid-state batteries, aiming to launch a prototype next year, Nikkei Asia reported on Thursday. car.
The automaker expects electric vehicles powered by solid-state batteries to have twice the range of current lithium-ion battery chemistries and be able to be fully charged in as little as 10 minutes. 1,000 patents related to solid-state batteries.
Toyota appears to be well ahead of other Japanese automakers (reports say Nissan plans no real-world testing of solid-state batteries until 2028), and the country's auto suppliers appear to be ramping up production.
The report states that Mitsui Mining and Smelting, also known as Mitsui Kinzu, will establish a pilot facility to produce solid-state battery electrolytes. The report said the factory, located at an existing R&D center in Japan's Tama Prefecture, will be able to produce "tens of tons" of solid electrolytes starting next year, enough to meet demand for prototypes.
The timeline discussed in the report is higher than what Toyota executives recommended this summer. Keiji Kaita, executive vice president of Toyota's powertrain division, told Automotive News in July that limited production of solid-state batteries will begin in 2025.
The report also suggests that solid-state batteries could have greatly improved energy density. This echoes statements made by Samsung earlier this year, suggesting that its solid-state technology could double energy density.
Solid-state batteries have become a trend among battery manufacturers. Apple iPhone maker Foxconn is working on solid-state batteries for electric vehicles that could be available by 2024, while VW-backed QuantumScape, which has former Tesla chief technology officer JB Straubel on its board, said recently that its battery technology may be getting closer to being deployed in electric vehicles. in the car.
However, Tesla itself believes that solid-state technology still has a long way to go. The company is looking at other technologies to achieve higher energy density, longer service life and lower manufacturing costs.
Domestically, FAW, BAIC and SAIC have been reported to invest in solid-state battery companies. Almost all powerful battery companies are developing solid-state batteries, while start-up solid-state battery companies are making a desperate move. Of course, some OEMs plan ahead, hoping to regain the right to speak; there are also companies that have concerns about the short-term development of solid-state batteries and are still waiting to see before they have perfect products.
When analyzing this phenomenon, an industry insider said that car companies are enthusiastic about investing in solid-state battery companies. First, they are optimistic about the prospects of this technology, and second, they want to avoid repeating the mistakes of liquid batteries. There is a dominant battery company that weakens the voice of car companies. "In the words of this person, car companies will enter the market early this time.
In any case, solid-state batteries are the mainstream route for the next generation of power batteries recognized by both academia and industry. The development of lithium batteries was full of difficulties and experienced twists and turns. However, there was a great prosperity in the lithium-ion battery stage. But the next stage of the development of lithium batteries still has to go back to the route of metal lithium batteries and come to the track of solid-state batteries. Which car company are you optimistic about?
This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.