Having pioneered the hybrid automobile, Japan automaker Toyota is advancing its technological know how in lithium-ion batteries as it eyes the pure electric vehicle market.
Famous for launching the hybrid Prius in 1997, the company is now establishing an ‘in-house’ venture company to develop EVs— and maybe as soon as 2020, according to news outlet Reuters.
The virtual organisation is set to launch this month with a representative from Toyota Industries Corporation, Aisin Seiki Co., Denso Corporation and TMC.
Toyota’s website stated the ‘strengthening of regulations’ aimed at increasing zero-emission vehicles had ‘heightened’ the company’s need for product line-ups.
In the same week the firm announced its EV intentions, it also claimed to have developed a method for observing the real-time behaviour of lithium ions in an electrolyte during cycling.
Using high-performance synchrotron radiation x-rays the company was able to create 0.65 micron/pixel high-resolution and 100 ms/frame high-speed measurements.
The company replaced phosphorous-containing ions in the electrolyte with ones containing heavy elements because they transmit less of the X-rays than phosphorous.
By observing the behaviour of the heavy elements, Toyota was able to observe the deviation behaviour of the lithium-ions that are bound to them in the electrolyte.
Toyota will now observe the behaviour of lithium ions caused by differences in the materials and structures of cathodes, anodes, separators, and electrolytes, as well as the differences in battery control.
The company will use the study to form the back-bone of research to improve the performance and durability of batteries.
The deviation of lithium ions is one of the causes of deterioration in the performance of lithium-ion batteries.
If achieved Toyota could make longer battery life, which in turn would give EV and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) a longer driving range‑ the holy-grail of EV OEMs.
The company is also expanding its R&D facilities at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (China) Co.
The plan includes improvements to the existing laboratory facility, construction of a new laboratory, creation of a battery evaluation and test facility, set to be completed from late 2018 onwards.
