Toyota aims to launch its first production cars with a fully-fledged solid-state battery by 2028 at the latest. Together with Sumitomo Metal Mining, the carmaker has developed a suitable cathode material. The two companies are now intensifying their cooperation for its mass production.
Even though Toyota has been rather cautious compared to other major car manufacturers when it comes to fully electric cars, the Japanese industrial giant is working flat out on solid-state batteries. Furthermore, these are not on half-baked semi-solid-state batteries, as some of its competitors are already installing, but genuine solid-state electrolyte batteries. The world’s largest car manufacturer wants to bring these into series production as early as 2027 or 2028, thereby going down in history as a pioneer.
Toyota is now intensifying its cooperation with Japanese mining and raw materials company Sumitomo Metal Mining for the mass production of the cathode material required for this. The two companies have been working together on this since 2021. Until now, however, the partnership has been limited to research activities. The focus has been on challenges such as the degradation of cathode materials during repeated charging and discharging cycles.
However, Sumitomo Metal Mining has now apparently managed to solve this problem. With the help of its proprietary powder synthesis technology, the company says it has succeeded in developing a cathode material suitable for series production in durable batteries.
Now the Japanese want to gradually bring this into mass production and supply Toyota with it. Meanwhile, research work continues. Components for EV batteries are not new territory for Sumitomo. The group has been active in this field for around 20 years.
Solid-state batteries consist of a cathode, an anode and a solid electrolyte. They would take e-mobility a big step forward, as they are said to be more compact, yet more powerful and durable than batteries with liquid electrolytes. Ideally, they promise greater ranges, significantly shorter charging times and an even higher level of safety for electric cars.
global.toyota
