Toyota May Be First to Deploy a Solid-state Battery
December of 2020 was an exciting month for electric vehicle advocates, with many companies announcing significant progress developing solid-state lithium batteries. Batteries with solid electrolytes have the potential to eliminate all the major drawbacks of EVS, providing adequate range, fast charging times, safe operation, and competitive sticker prices. If an automaker can be the first to bring this technology to market, it will offer a product that outperforms similar EVS powered by conventional lithium ion batteries. Surprisingly, that automaker may turn out to be Toyota.
The development is somewhat unexpected because Toyota is one of the last major automakers to jump into the electric market with both feet. The legendary Prius has long been an attractive choice for green motorists, and Toyota currently offers an extensive assortment of popular, efficient hybrids. They are also a leader in fuel cell technology, rightly proud of their hydrogen powered Mirai. Toyota’s President, Akio Toyoda, has made numerous public statements questioning the efficacy of electric vehicles and promoting his company’s current approach to emission reduction.
So it came as some surprise when an article appeared in Nikkei Asia boasting that Toyota has developed a solid-state battery and “will unveil a prototype next year.” According to the staff writer, “Toyota plans to be the first company to sell a vehicle equipped with a solid state battery in the early 2020s.” The article describes the remarkable capabilities these batteries could deliver, including “more than twice” the range of comparable EVS, “ten minute” charging times, and “minimal safety concerns.” Nikkei emphasizes that Toyota has taken out over 1,000 patents related to solid-state batteries, more than any other company.
While Toyota hasn’t seemed very enthusiastic about electrification, they appear to have been innovating vigorously behind the scenes, strategically biding their time. Their popular hybrids currently provide comparable environmental benefits that appeal to green consumers and allow Toyota to comply with emission standards. EVS sell poorly in markets where the charging infrastructure is not well developed, another argument for holding off a while.
Toyota is through biding its time. Tesla’s stock is soaring and the writing is on the wall. Emission regulations governing major auto markets are starting to include timetables for phasing out internal combustion engines entirely, spelling trouble down the road for Toyota’s signature hybrids. The world is recognizing that our vehicles and our electrical grids must be fully decarbonized if climate change is to be halted. When electricity is generated without emissions, the already weak naysayer argument about an EV’S upstream emissions will be dead and buried. Advances in battery technology have delivered a feasible alternative to gasoline that can no longer be ignored. If this encouraging report from Nikkei is accurate, Toyota may be the first manufacturer to deliver EVS powered by solid-state batteries despite their late entry into the EV market. If they take the checkered flag, it will reaffirm their well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s greenest automakers.