Japanese machine maker Toyota Industries Corporation has doubled its bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery production capability with the establishment of a new plant that will supply batteries for hybrid vehicles.
The Ishihama Plant is expected to operate at a production capacity of 20,000 units per month, and, together with the Kyowa Plant (which started battery production in May 2021), will boost its total capacity to 40,000 units per month.
The 20,000m2 Ishihama Plant is due to begin production in October.
Toyota Industries developed its bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery jointly with Toyota Motor Corporation.
The technology was first used as the battery for electrified vehicles in the Toyota Aqua vehicle that was launched in July 2021.
The battery’s cathode is applied to one side of a current collector and an anode to the other with several of these bipolar electrode structures stacked together to form a battery.
The bipolar nickel-hydrogen battery is scheduled to be used in the Lexus RX unveiled in June 2022 and the Toyota Crown unveiled in July.
