Toyota Motor Corp and energy company Idemitsu Kosan have announced a joint venture to develop mass production technology of solid electrolytes for EVs, improve productivity and establish a supply chain for all-solid-state EV batteries.
The companies will work together with a focus on sulphide solid electrolytes, which are perceived as a promising material to achieve high capacity and output for EVs. The sulphide solid electrolytes are characterised by softness and adhesiveness to other materials. Idemitsu’s R&D has been focused on elemental technologies since 2001, Toyota since 2006.
In 2001 Idemitsu’s Chiba Prefecture refinery became home to a pilot facility. Idemitsu will promote sulphide solid electrolyte manufacture, and then implement mass production technology. Toyota will promote development of both solid-state batteries (in which sulphide solid electrolytes are used), and EV development to incorporate those batteries. It is intended that market launch will be 2027–2028.
The intended manufacturing plant is likely to be located near Toyota’s headquarters in Aichi Prefecture.
