Solid State Battery Collaboration from Toyota and Idemitsu
Toyota is focusing on developing solid-state battery technology to improve the performance of its electric vehicles. For this purpose, it announced that it signed an agreement with the Japanese oil company Idemitsu. The two companies will work together for the production and application of solid-state batteries.
Idemitsu is Working on Sulfur Solid Electrolytes
Idemitsu has been conducting research on sulfur solid electrolytes since 2001. Sulfur solid electrolytes are one of the main components of solid-state batteries. Idemitsu announced in June that it had increased the production capacity of sulfur solid electrolytes by opening a pilot plant in Japan.
Toyota's Solid State Battery Plan
Toyota aims to improve the range and charging time of its electric vehicles by using solid-state battery technology. According to Toyota's plan, solid-state battery electric vehicles will be launched between 2027-2028. These vehicles will be able to travel up to 1.000 kilometers on a full charge and can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 10 minutes on a fast charger.
Advantages of Solid State Batteries
Solid-state batteries are safer, more efficient and more compact than traditional lithium-ion batteries. Solid state batteries offer a more stable chemical structure by using solid electrolyte instead of liquid electrolyte. In addition, thanks to solid electrolytes, energy transfer occurs faster and battery size decreases.
Cooperation Stages of Two Companies
Toyota and Idemitsu's solid-state battery collaboration will take place in three stages. In the first phase, the two companies will work to improve the quality, cost and production rate of sulfur solid electrolytes. In the second phase, Idemitsu will produce solid electrolyte-based batteries, while Toyota will try to integrate these batteries into its own electric vehicles. In the third phase, the two companies will develop solutions for the full-scale production and sale of solid-state battery electric vehicles.
There are high hopes for Toyota's next generation electric cars. Thanks to solid-state battery technology, Toyota's electric vehicles will be both environmentally friendly and high-performance.