Toyota has officially announced its plans to release solid-state electric vehicle batteries capable of achieving 10-minute rapid recharging and an impressive estimated range of up to 750 miles on a single charge, as certified by the World Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), in an effort to bridge the gap with industry leader Tesla. Although Toyota’s electric vehicle battery technology is still several years away from being fully developed, this setback may further exacerbate its current lagging position in the industry.
Toyota has been publicly showcasing its advancements in solid-state electric vehicle battery technology for several years, gradually building anticipation around its potential impact on the industry. Following the announcement of a groundbreaking technological innovation in June, Toyota declared that it would be ramping up its growth strategy.
Toyota and Japanese energy giant Idemitsu Kosan announced in October that they were considering collaborating to develop and manufacture solid-state electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Batteries are expected to hit the market by 2027, paving the way for large-scale production shortly after.
Vikram Gulati, the head of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, announced the company’s plans at a recent funding summit held in India. “We’re poised to introduce our electric vehicles equipped with cutting-edge solid-state batteries within the next few years.”
According to Gulati, the innovation is set to revolutionize transportation with an electric car that can charge in just 10 minutes, offering a range of approximately 1,200 kilometers or 750 miles. Toyota’s Indian chief suggests the battery could boast an exceptional lifespan.
As India’s electric vehicle market gains momentum, signaling its emergence as a global powerhouse in the transition to EVs. In India, electrical vehicles accounted for around 2% of total automotive sales in the previous year; yet, the country aims to reach a significant milestone by 2030, with an ambitious target of 30%. By the end of the decade, India’s highway transport minister expects annual electric vehicle (EV) gross sales to reach a milestone of 10 million units.
Toyota accelerates solid-state battery development to lead electric vehicle revolution.
The corporation asserts that its innovative technology enables 10-minute rapid recharging and substantial range expansion.
Two variants will be available, offering either a 621-mile (1,000-kilometer) WLTP range or an advanced iteration featuring a 750-mile (1,200-kilometer) variant.
In the short term, we’re focusing on expanding our hybrid offerings, with a focus on plug-in hybrids that can be charged at home or on-the-go.
While Toyota touts its solid-state batteries as a “potential game-changer” for battery-electric vehicles, their commercial availability remains uncertain, with a potential launch not expected until at least 2027.
The company plans to begin deploying its innovative battery technology in 2027 and 2028 respectively. The corporation anticipates rolling out mass production by 2030 and beyond.
Toyota is poised to introduce a range of advanced electric vehicle (EV) battery technologies, building on the success of its existing solid-state battery designs. By 2026, Toyota aims to introduce an Efficiency lithium-ion battery offering a 20 percent boost in range, extending the distance to approximately 600 miles, while also facilitating 20-minute rapid charging for its flagship model, the bZ4X.
A revolutionary new battery technology, dubbed a Popularisation battery, is expected to hit the market within the next 12 months. The lithium-iron phosphate battery is engineered to reduce prices by approximately 40%, relative to the bZ4X. Toyota unveiled its 2024 bZ4X electric SUV, priced from $43,070, offering an estimated range of up to 252 miles on a single charge according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US.
By 2030, Toyota aims to sell approximately 3.5 million electric vehicles (EVs), which is roughly one-third of the world’s total sales. Toyota aims to roll out 10 new electric models in an effort to close the gap with industry leaders Tesla and BYD.
Electrek’s Take
While Toyota continues to pledge that its revolutionary solid-state EV battery technology will significantly improve range and charging speeds while slashing costs, the repeated promises have left many wondering if history will repeat itself.
Toyota’s initial plans had its first solid-state battery-powered electric vehicle (EV) emerging in 2021, though the timeline was later revised to 2022. We still need to harness the know-how, as we’ve now entered 2024. Toyota aims to debut these innovations in 2027 or 2028, followed by large-scale production after 2030.
By that time, several companies may have already implemented the technology. Major automakers like Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan, and BMW, among others, are actively pursuing the development of cutting-edge solid-state battery technology.
Volkswagen’s PowerCo battery unit recently cited QuantumScape’s solid-state batteries as having the potential to power vehicles for up to 500,000 kilometers – approximately 311,000 miles – with minimal energy loss.
