Toyotas: Batteries according to the customer's wishes
FUTURE At the recent opening of its battery electric car plant, Toyota announced that production of next-generation electric models would begin in 2026.
New electric cars from Toyota will differ in design and in manufacturing, and will also be powered by new batteries developed specifically for different customer requirements.
Adapted batteries from 2026
Takero Kato, president of Toyota's BEV plant, said that next-generation battery cars will first roll off the assembly line in 2026 and that 1.7 million of the 3.5 million BEVs Toyota aims to sell by 2030 will be new-generation models. He also highlighted that different battery technologies will be critical to making battery electric vehicles attractive to a wider range of customers.
Different types according to demand
Toyota presented four battery types and provided an outlook on further steps in battery technology with solid electrolytes. For liquid electrolyte batteries, the three solutions offered are Performance, Popularization and High Performance.
The performance lithium-ion battery is scheduled for market launch in 2026. Combined with improved aerodynamics and lower vehicle weight, it will enable ranges of more than 800 kilometers.
The Popularization type is a battery based on the bipolar technology developed by Toyota, as has been used for some time in the NiMH batteries of hybrid vehicles. Less expensive lithium iron phosphate serves as the core material.
The bipolar structure with lithium-ion material and a highly nickel-containing cathode is used in high-performance batteries. Combined with improved aerodynamics and lower vehicle weight, this is expected to increase the range to more than 1000 kilometers.
Fast charging times of ten minutes
Commercial use of solid-state batteries should be possible from 2027/2028. The first such battery from Toyota should provide around 20 percent more range compared with the performance battery and enable fast charging times of no more than ten minutes.
