A Japanese company has announced it will launch the world's first electric vehicle equipped with solid-state batteries in 2027. This technology promises faster charging, longer driving range, and improved battery life. However, experts acknowledge that the path from laboratory testing to mass production will be more challenging than automakers claim.
Toyota recently announced a collaboration with Japan's Sumitomo Metal Mining to jointly produce cathode materials for solid-state batteries (SSBs). These batteries replace liquid electrolytes with solid ones, making them more wear-resistant.
The two companies have been conducting joint research since 2021 and claim to have developed a new, mass-producible cathode. Toyota claims this could help realize the first practical application of SSBs in electric vehicles within 2-3 years.
Meanwhile, other manufacturers have joined the race. Chinese companies CATL and BYD are developing similar technology, and SAIC MG has already released the MG4, the first mass-produced model equipped with semi-solid-state batteries. Mercedes-Benz has also tested an EQS prototype with a range of up to 1,200 kilometers, while the BMW i7 has achieved a record energy density of 390 watt-hours per kilogram.
