Toyota promises to release an electric vehicle with a solid-state battery by 2027

The Japanese company has announced that it will release the world's first electric vehicle with a solid-state battery by 2027. This technology promises faster charging, increased range, and longer battery life. However, experts admit that the path from laboratory testing to mass production will be more difficult than automakers claim.

Toyota recently announced a partnership with Japanese company Sumitomo Metal Mining to jointly produce cathode materials for solid-state batteries (SSB). These batteries replace liquid electrolyte with a solid one, making them more resistant to wear and tear.

The companies have been conducting joint research since 2021 and claim to have developed a new type of cathode that can be mass-produced. Toyota says this could lead to the first practical application of SSBs in electric vehicles in just two to three years.

Meanwhile, other manufacturers have joined the race. China's CATL and BYD are working on similar technologies, and SAIC MG has already unveiled the MG 4, the first production car with a semi-solid battery. Mercedes-Benz has also tested a prototype EQS with a range of up to 1,200 km, and the BMW i7 has demonstrated a record energy density of 390 Wh/kg.