Coming By 2027: Solid-State EV Batteries With 1,200 Km Range, 10-Minutes Charging Time

Toyota Motor has announced plans to introduce an electric vehicle (EV) equipped with an all-solid-state battery as early as 2027, which is expected to significantly increase the car's range on a single charge, as reported by Asia Nikkei.

The Japanese automaker shared these plans during a recent briefing at a research facility in Shizuoka prefecture, stating that the technology could be commercialized by 2027 or 2028.

The key challenge in the development of solid-state batteries has been extending their lifespan to achieve commercial viability. However, Toyota claims to have overcome this hurdle and is now focused on developing mass-production capabilities, which could revolutionize the EV landscape.

Solid-state EV batteries have several advantages, such as the ability to be charged in under 10 minutes and providing a range of up to 1,200 kilometres, which is 2.4 times that of conventional lithium-ion batteries.

One of the challenges with solid-state batteries has been the repeated expansion and contraction of electrodes during charging cycles, leading to electrode detachment from the solid-electrolyte material and compromising battery performance.

Toyota is at the forefront of solid-state battery technology, holding over 1,000 patents in the field. In 2020, the company test-drove a prototype EV equipped with a solid-state battery and has plans to incorporate the batteries into hybrid vehicles by the mid-2020s.

Toyota's long-term goal is to develop a solid-state battery that can offer a range of approximately 1,500 kilometres on a charge of less than 10 minutes.

Currently, EVs have a shorter range per charge compared to gasoline and hybrid vehicles. For example, Toyota's EV model, the bZ4X, has a range of around 600 kilometres on a 30-minute charge, while Nissan's all-electric Ariya can travel 380 kilometres on a 45-minute charge, and Tesla's Model Y can cover up to 260 kilometres after approximately 15 minutes of charging.

Toyota intends to accelerate its EV business using solid-state batteries. While the company sold around 20,000 EVs globally last year, it aims to increase annual sales to 1.5 million units by 2026 and 3.5 million EVs by 2030.

Additionally, Toyota is also improving the performance of its lithium-ion batteries. As early as 2026, the company plans to release a next-generation EV with a range of approximately 1,000 kilometres on a 20-minute charge.