Toyota announced that the earliest mass production of solid-state batteries will be in 2027, and has currently developed highly durable cathode materials.

[PCauto] Toyota and Sumitomo Metal Mining jointly announced on October 8, 2025, that they have reached a collaborative development agreement for the mass production of solid-state battery cathode materials, aiming to launch pure electric vehicle models equipped with solid-state batteries between 2027 and 2028.

Solid-state batteries offer the advantages of high energy density and improved safety

Compared to liquid lithium batteries, which have dominated the electric vehicle market since the General Motors EV1 in 1996, solid-state batteries can achieve a 30% to 50% improvement in energy density, directly translating into longer driving ranges.

In terms of technical specifications, Toyota's solid-state batteries aim to achieve an energy density of 450-500Wh/kg, approximately twice that of current liquid lithium batteries.

The target driving range will exceed 800 kilometers, while charging times are expected to be reduced to under 10 minutes for replenishing 10% to 80% of the battery capacity, providing an experience comparable to refueling traditional gasoline vehicles.

The battery cycle life is expected to exceed 2,000 cycles, significantly higher than the 1,000-cycle standard of traditional lithium batteries, meaning the battery pack may not require replacement throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle.

The compact design of the battery pack allows the height to be reduced to 120mm, compared to the 150mm battery pack of the existing bZ4X model, creating conditions for a low center of gravity design and aerodynamic optimization of the vehicle.

These technological advancements not only enhance vehicle performance but also provide designers with greater flexibility in interior space layout.

Toyota and Sumitomo Metal Mining to Jointly Promote Mass Production of Solid-State Batteries by 2027

Toyota's collaboration with Sumitomo Metal Mining began in 2021, focusing on addressing the degradation of cathode materials in solid-state batteries during repeated charge-discharge cycles.

Sumitomo Metal Mining, leveraging its proprietary powder synthesis technology, has developed "high-durability cathode materials" suitable for solid-state batteries.

With over 20 years of experience in supplying cathode materials for electric vehicles, the company’s collaboration with Toyota will accelerate the mass production process of the new materials.

Additionally, Toyota has partnered with Idemitsu Kosan, which is building a lithium sulfide production facility with an annual capacity of 1,000 tons.

Lithium sulfide, as a key solid electrolyte material for solid-state batteries, is planned to begin production in 2027, providing core material support for large-scale battery manufacturing.

These collaborations are an important part of Japan's strategy to establish a self-sufficient supply chain for advanced battery materials, aiming to reduce reliance on suppliers from China and South Korea.

Global Automakers Are Intensively Advancing Solid-State Battery Development

​​Japanese companies and the government have made substantial investments in all-solid-state battery R&D, with government support alone reaching billions of dollars​​.

Globally, BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Tesla, and other manufacturers are actively advancing solid-state battery development, but Toyota is among the leading automakers that have set clear production timelines for solid-state batteries.

Chinese manufacturers such as CATL and BYDCATL plan to mass-produce semi-solid-state batteries by 2027 with an energy density target of 500Wh/kg.

Meanwhile, Western companies like QuantumScape and Solid Power are focusing on oxide electrolyte routes.

Despite the bright prospects for all-solid-state batteries, mass production still faces many challenges. Technical issues such as interface contact resistance and lithium dendrite suppression have not been fully resolved, and the current cost of sulfide electrolytes is as high as $300/kg, which is more than 50 times that of liquid electrolytes.