A tie up between Toyota and Idemitsu Kosan, the oil refiner was announced on Thursday. The Toyota Idemitsu tie up is to develop and mass produce all solid-state EV battery, in another example of new partnerships being forged amid the disruptive shift to electric vehicles.
Toyota, Japan’s top automaker agreed on Thursday to work with Idemitsu, a major Japanese oil company, on technology for mass production of solid-state batteries that promise to be a key component in future EV.
Next generation batteries
Toyota and Idemitsu aim to commercialize next-generation batteries in 2027-28, followed by full-scale mass production. Toyota has said it planned to introduce the Toyota solid-state batteries, which would drastically improve the driving range of EVs, as part of a strategic pivot to EVs announced in June.
Toyota is now looking to make up for ground lost to Tesla and Chinese rivals such as BYD in the EV race. It has said it found a “technological breakthrough” that addresses durability problems in solid-state batteries. For Toyota solid-state battery developing means to mass produce them.
The Toyota solid-state battery lags partly because of its success in hybrids, like the Prius, that are equipped with both gasoline engines and battery-powered motors.
Idemitsu into EV batteries
Idemitsu Kosan, Japan’s second-largest oil refiner, has been developing solid sulfide electrolyte, a material used in the batteries.
With repeated efforts involving trial and error, we have succeeded in developing a material that is more stable and less prone to crack, Toyota Chief Executive Koji Sato told reporters in Tokyo, after shaking hands with his counterpart at Idemitsu.
“By bringing together the material development technologies of both companies, Idemitsu’s material manufacturing technology, and Toyota’s battery mass production technology, we will engage in full-scale mass production of all-solid-state batteries,” Toyota CEO Koji Sato told a news conference.
Solid-state batteries
Solid-state batteries can hold more energy than current liquid electrolyte batteries and automakers and analysts expect them to speed transition to EVs. Solid-state EV batteries are more stable and potentially more powerful than lithium-ion batteries, but generally more expensive.
A solid-state EV battery would have a range of 1,200 km (746 miles) and charging time of just 10 minutes, according to Toyota.
Still, such batteries are expensive and likely to remain so for years.
Idemitsu wants expansion
Idemitsu has been expanding into EV battery supply chains, increasing its stake in Australian lithium developer Delta LithiumDLI.AX to 15% earlier this year amid a global push by automakers to electrify their fleets.
The era of the solid-state battery is right around the corner, said Idemitsu Kosan Co. Chief Executive Shunichi Kito.
Idemitsu has been researching basic technologies for all-solid-state batteries since 2001. Toyota solid-state battery research started in 2006.
Collaboration between Toyota and Idemitsu
The collaboration focuses on sulfide solid electrolytes, materials that are soft, adhesive and suitable for mass production, the companies said. Kito said Idemitsu developed mass production technology related to sulphide solid electrolytes by studying by-products from petroleum refining.
The companies plan a large pilot facility to develop sulphide solid electrolytes, paying special attention to quality and costs. Mass production would follow.
Other automakers working on solid state EV battery
Many of the world’s top automakers are working on solid-state batteries, including domestic rival Nissan Motor Co. and American manufacturer Ford Motor Co. But some technological challenges remain.
Toyota solid-state battery expansion
Toyota, which makes the Lexus luxury models and Camry sedan, had said it will offer a commercial solid-state battery as soon as 2027, with charging time, one of the main drawbacks of electric vehicles, shortened to 10 minutes or less. Toyota is planning to deliver 1.5 million EVs in 2026 by expanding its EV lineup with solid-state battery.
