Toyota Motor Corporation has unveiled its electric roadmap, including EVs with a cruising range exceeding 1,000km.  

Toyota is developing new battery technologies to match customer expectations as it works to introduce the next generation of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2026. 

Currently, popular liquid lithium-ion batteries will improve performance by enhancing square batteries' energy density, a field in which Toyota has extensive experience. Additionally, the much-anticipated all-solid-state batteries will finally be entering the practical application phase for use in BEVs. 

"We are aiming for a 20% increase in cruising range, a 40% reduction in cost, and quick recharging in 30 minutes or less (SOC=10-80%) compared to the current bZ4X and considering installing it in BEVs in the popular price range," said a statement from the firm.

In parallel, Toyota will also develop a high-performance battery that combines a bipolar structure with a high nickel cathode to achieve further advances, which will be put to practical use in 2027-2028. According to the firm, it will achieve even "greater performance than the performance version of the square battery, with a 10% increase in cruising range, a 10% reduction in cost, and a quick charge time of 20 minutes or less (SOC=10-80%)". 

Solid-state batteries

The Japanese car maker plans to explore options to introduce solid-state cells for BEVs. Such batteries use solid electrodes and a solid electrolyte instead of the liquid or polymer gel electrolytes found in lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries. Such batteries are found to be more durable with an increased lifespan.

Toyota is developing a method for mass production of such batteries, striving for commercialisation in 2027-2028. "We are looking at a 20% improvement in the cruising range compared to the performance version of the square battery, while costs are under scrutiny, aiming for a quick charge time of 10 minutes or less (SOC=10-80%)." A higher-level specification is also being researched and developed concurrently with an eye towards the future.

The firm is also looking at expanding its presence in the fuel cell market by promoting external sales of fuel cells using Mirai's hydrogen units, with the firm already receiving offers for external sales of 100,000 units by 2030.

It will also set up a body called Hydrogen Factory in July, which will be "able to make immediate decisions under one leader, from sales to development and production, all at once". 

Cheaper batteries

Toyota is developing low-cost batteries that will contribute to the spread and expansion of BEVs to provide customers with a variety of choices in batteries. According to the firm, the bipolar structure battery used in its hybrid vehicles is now being applied to BEVs. The battery is anticipated to be used in practical applications in 2026–2027 and is made of affordable lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. 

Separately, Chinese startup Greater Bay Technology has claimed that its new electric vehicle (EV) battery can work in any weather. Called the Pheonix cell, the battery uses superconducting materials and thermal management to bring freezing temperatures to normal room temperature in just five minutes, Bloomberg reported.

Extreme temperatures have been the bane for batteries of electric vehicles since they were introduced. As the temperature dips below zero degrees Celcius, EV batteries lose their charging efficiency, making it difficult for owners to rely on the range offered by the cars.

Tackled major headache

Car makers have turned to installing heat pumps to keep battery temperatures in a high-efficiency range, but that, too, is an inefficient way to manage the battery. Founded in 2020, Greater Bay Technology is looking to radically change how EV batteries operate and, with its Phoenix cell, claims to have tackled a major headache for EV makers. 

Greater Bay Technology was founded by Huang Xiangdong, along with industry veteran Pei Feng in 2020. Huang and Pei were colleagues at GAC, the third most popular EV brand in China after BYD and Tesla.

Huang studied automotive engineering in Italy in the 1980s and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Fiat's research centre for five years before returning to China in 1991. From 2006, Huang led the R&D centre at GAC, where he oversaw the development of the GS4 SUV, one of the company's most popular models.

Huang retired in 2016 but returned in 2020 to bring in battery technology that can make EVs as easy to own and operate as petrol-powered cars. Their first-generation battery can recharge in about 15 minutes and can deliver a range of 500km. The technology is already being implemented in GAC's Aion, an electric SUV, the Bloomberg report said. 

The Phoenix cell

The next-generation Phoenix cell can deliver a range of 1,000km on a single charge. According to Huang, the use of superconducting materials and thermal management technology in the cell ensures that the battery can be heated back from temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius in a mere five minutes.

Now that the battery is within its normal operating temperature range, it can be rapidly charged and reach full capacity in just six minutes. Effectively, the cell can be used in any weather conditions and is equivalent to filling the tank of a petrol-powered car, matching the company's vision. "The Phoenix battery not only addresses the long charging time for EVs, but other pain points. It doesn’t matter if it’s a hot day or a cold day, the Phoenix battery’s range won’t be affected."

Huang is confident that his technology will increase the mass adoption of EVs. The Phoenix cell could be seen in action as early as next year on GAC's Aion EVs as well as EVs of other car makers.

In just two years, Greater Bay Technology has become a unicorn company, valued at $1bn, and finds itself mentioned along with battery bigwigs like Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) and BYD in China.