Toyota will reveal a new type of electric vehicle (EV) battery next year, according to reports in Japanese media, that could more than double the range of the electric cars on sale today
Many automakers have been researching so-called solid-state batteries as a possible replacement for the lithium-ion cells they use today. Solid state batteries use a solid electrolyte in place of the gel polymer used in Li-ion batteries. In theory, they are more compact, less prone to fire when damaged, and carry more energy per pound than today’s batteries. They may also degrade slower. This means that used EVs carrying a solid-state battery may retain more range than a new EV with Li-ion batteries.
According to Japan’s Nekkei, Toyota’s upcoming solid-state battery could allow an EV to travel over 600 miles before recharging. The news service adds that the battery could recharge in just ten minutes.
There are no reports explaining what vehicles might carry the new battery, or when it will go on sale. But it appears that Toyota will reveal the battery to the public in 2021.
Toyota does not currently sell an all-electric vehicle, though hybrid electric cars make up much of its U.S. lineup, with the RAV4 Hybrid dethroning the Prius as Toyota’s best-selling hybrid in 2019. Hybrid sales have climbed dramatically this year, despite media attention focusing on EVs.
Volkswagen has previously said it hopes to unveil a solid-state battery by 2025, with Nissan expected to follow by 2028.
