The collaborative venture between Toyota and Idemitsu will be executed in three key phases. The first phase is centered around the development of superior sulfide solid electrolytes, with a dedicated focus on quality, cost-effectiveness, and lead times.
The second phase entails the construction of a substantial pilot facility by Idemitsu, with the objective of achieving mass production of solid electrolyte-based batteries. Simultaneously, Toyota will oversee the integration of these innovative all-solid-state batteries into its next-generation battery electric vehicles (BEVs), preparing them for a market launch during the 2027-2028 timeframe.
In the third and final phase, both companies will engage in the quest for future solutions to enable full-scale production and sales of EVs equipped with solid-state batteries. While a specific timeline for the three-phase plan was not disclosed, Toyota’s President and CEO, Koji Sato, highlighted a significant technical challenge for solid-state batteries. He emphasized that the repeated charging and discharging of the battery leads to the formation of cracks between the anodes, cathodes, and solid electrolytes, resulting in a decline in battery performance. Nevertheless, through persistent trial and error and the amalgamation of material technologies from both companies, they have successfully developed a crack-resistant material that demonstrates outstanding performance. This breakthrough, coupled with Toyota’s cathode and anode materials and battery expertise, paves the way toward achieving both exceptional performance and durability in solid-state batteries.