Last summer, Toyota unveiled its groundbreaking solid-state battery technology, and now the company has teamed up with Japanese firm Idemitsu Kosan to bring this innovation to mass production within an ambitious timeframe of 2027-2028. Idemitsu, primarily known as an oil producer and petrochemical company, will be providing a crucial material for Toyota’s solid-state battery.
One might wonder why an oil stakeholder would contribute to a technology that reduces the demand for oil. However, diversification and adaptation to the changing market seem to be the key motivations. While conventional lithium-ion EV batteries have already disrupted the automotive industry, solid-state technology is poised to further accelerate the trend towards electrification. These new batteries offer faster charging times, improved safety features, and extended driving ranges compared to current technologies.
Idemitsu Kosan’s involvement in renewable energy sectors, such as wind, solar, and geothermal, suggests a larger strategy of diversifying its energy portfolio. In fact, the company has been exploring solid-state battery technology based on sulfide since as early as 2001. This aligns with the potential market for sulfur and sulfur compounds, which are major byproducts of oil refineries.
Toyota and Idemitsu initiated their collaborative efforts on sulfide solid-state batteries in 2013, combining Toyota’s cathode and anode materials with Idemitsu’s solid electrolyte. After years of research and development, their hard work is now starting to yield promising results.
In April 2022, Idemitsu caught the attention of Japan’s technology accelerator, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, securing funding for a six-year project focused on the “Development of Mass Production Technology for Sulfide-Based Solid Electrolytes.” This project builds upon Idemitsu’s existing small-scale solid-state battery demonstration facility, launched in November 2021, and aims to establish a scaled-up pilot system at the company’s Chiba Complex.
As the pursuit of solid-state batteries continues to gain momentum, researchers around the world are exploring the potential of sulfide-based solid electrolytes, attracted by their high conductivity that rivals liquid electrolytes. This technology could potentially surpass the performance of conventional battery systems.
Exciting advancements in solid-state battery technology, such as Toyota and Idemitsu’s collaboration, are ushering in a new era of energy storage that promises to revolutionize the automotive industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.
