Toyota and Idemitsu Kosan Collaborate on Next-Generation All-Solid-State Batteries
Toyota and Idemitsu Partner to Establish a universally accepted benchmark for all-solid-state battery technology on a global scale
In a significant leap forward for the automotive industry, Toyota and Idemitsu Kosan have joined forces to develop all-solid-state batteries. These batteries, set to revolutionise electric vehicles (EVs), boast improved energy density, safety, and durability compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
The key to these advancements lies in the use of lithium sulfide as a solid electrolyte material. This innovative choice enables faster ion movement, shortening charging times, extending cruising ranges, and boosting output.
Idemitsu Kosan is building a large-scale lithium sulfide plant to supply materials for Toyota's upcoming all-solid-state batteries. This industrial-base collaboration underscores a shared commitment to production at scale.
The benefits of these all-solid-state batteries are far-reaching. They promise higher energy density, potentially leading to longer driving ranges for EVs. Improved safety is another key advantage, as solid electrolytes reduce risks of leakage and flammability common in liquid electrolytes. Better longevity and stability also feature, leading to longer battery life and retention of capacity over numerous charge cycles.
Toyota and Idemitsu Kosan are aiming for mass production and commercialisation by 2028, with plans to produce these all-solid-state batteries for Toyota electric vehicles. This timeline aligns with the expanding ecosystem where suppliers like Idemitsu Kosan ramp up material production to meet Toyota’s demand for mass-scale manufacturing of these batteries.
The collaboration between Toyota and Idemitsu Kosan is not just about competition; it's about continued improvement and speeding up collaboration to deliver results as quickly as possible. The two companies lead the world in patents related to all-solid-state batteries and the sulfide solid electrolytes used to make them. Toyota holds the patent for the components of the new solid electrolyte material.
Through closer collaboration, they aim to establish the global standard for all-solid-state batteries. Toyota plans to commercialize the technology with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) slated for release in 2027-28. On October 12, the collaboration was officially announced.
Idemitsu Kosan has been developing battery technologies since the 1970s oil crisis, aiming to find alternative energies and materials. This collaboration enables the companies to integrate their materials development technologies, Idemitsu's materials manufacturing technology, and Toyota's battery mass production technology.
The collaboration aims to develop mass production technologies for solid electrolytes, the pathway for ions moving between the cathode and anode, to improve productivity and establish a supply chain. President Sato believes this collaboration is crucial for boosting the international competitiveness of Japan's industry.
Idemitsu's strength lies in its technological capabilities for producing materials with high water resistance, ion conductivity, and flexibility. Eliminating rework ultimately speeds up development. The integration of the entire process, from materials to finished batteries, is partly about increasing speed and partly about enabling the companies to return to the starting point for improvement.
This collaboration represents a key step in the automotive industry's transition to next-generation battery technology for electric vehicles.
- The collaboration between Toyota and Idemitsu Kosan, two industry leaders, is also evident in their exploration of finance, with plans aimed at mass production and commercialisation of all-solid-state batteries by 2028.
- The advancements in technology, such as the use of lithium sulfide solid electrolytes, are expected to provide a significant boost to the finance sector, with potential benefits including increased energy density, improved safety, and better longevity in batteries.
