June 17, 2023
JAPAN—The world’s largest automaker just provided an update on its development of solid-state batteries on Tuesday, a technology that will allow the Japanese car company to leapfrog past Tesla with improved driving range, cost-saving manufacturing, and safety.
Toyota currently leads the industry with over 1,331 known patents, followed by Panasonic with 445 patents, and Idemitsu Kosan with 272 patents, according to Green Car Reports.
Basically, a Japanese-dominated field. There is no American company, including Tesla, that has any type of meaningful patents with solid-state batteries.
Toyota’s achievement is being trumpeted as a “technological breakthrough” because its R&D department addressed the durability problems in solid-state batteries. The Japanese carmaker will begin mass production in 2026-2027.
Solid-state batteries can hold more energy than current liquid electrolyte batteries and are cheaper to manufacture. Automakers and analysts expect them to speed the transition to EVs by addressing a major consumer concern: range.
Toyota’s new solid-state battery will have a range of 745 miles and will take 10 minutes to charge from 10-80% when using a DC fast charger, according to Motor Authority.
Toyota is already researching a more advanced solid-state battery that could deliver a range closer to 930 miles.
Tesla currently depends on Japan’s Panasonic for its advanced lithium-ion batteries and the Japanese company has built multiple gigafactories to supply its American partner.
General Motors relies on South Korea’s LG Chem, Ford relies on South Korea’s SK Innovation, and Stellantis-Chrysler relies on South Korea’s Samsung for its EV batteries. Toyota has developed its own battery.
Toyota is also developing a new method of aluminum frame manufacturing. Many Tesla fans snark at this attempt. However, they fail to realize Japan’s Fuji Technica and Miyazu developed Tesla’s current aluminum frame and even developed the industrial equipment and techniques associated with the manufacturing process.
The Japanese carmaker is oftentimes credited with taking down the former Big 3 (Ford, GM, Chrysler) and this technological achievement will likely cement its dominance over its American competitors since they rely on South Korean, Japanese, and Chinese battery technology. Nothing in-house.
Feature Screenshot via Power Torque YouTube