Toyota Claims Breakthrough That Will Lead To 745-Mile EV Battery

[RV_]

The Japanese automaker says it will soon be able to manufacture a solid-state pack that can charge in 10 minutes.

Excerpt:

"Toyota claims it has made a technological breakthrough that will eventually lead to a solid-state battery capable of delivering up to 745 miles (1,199 kilometers) of range, all while completely recharging in 10 minutes, according to The Guardian, quoting Keiji Kaita, president of the company’s research and development center for carbon neutrality.

The Japanese car manufacturer said yesterday that it had simplified production of the material used to make both solid-state and liquid-based batteries, which will allow it to halve the weight, size, and cost of the packs that end up in vehicles.

“For both our liquid and our solid-state batteries, we are aiming to drastically change the situation where current batteries are too big, heavy, and expensive,” said Kaita. “In terms of potential, we will aim to halve all of these factors.”

Solid-state batteries are seen as the logical next step in the development of EVs, as they are considered safer and more reliable than lithium-ion cells that use a liquid-based electrolyte, but at the same time, they’re much more expensive and harder to manufacture.

Several startups such as Solid Power, QuantumScape, Factorial, and StoreDot have been working to make solid-state batteries more affordable and easier to produce, but as of today, their products haven’t been fitted to any new EV sold on the market.

Now, however, Toyota says it believes it could simplify the manufacturing process, potentially making solid-state batteries easier to produce than lithium-ion ones.

Last month, the Japanese automaker – which is seen by many EV enthusiasts as a laggard when it comes to fully electrifying its lineup – unveiled a massive plan to change its focus from ICE vehicles to EVs, all while keeping hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen-powered vehicles alive.

As part of its plan, it wants to build an all-new EV-only architecture that will spawn a raft of new vehicles from 2026, including a US-made three-row SUV that will reportedly go into production in 2025 with batteries sourced from North Carolina.

Furthermore, the car group estimates that it will be able to make an advanced solid-state battery that’s capable of offering over 900 miles (1,448 km) of range after 2028, thanks in part to lighter, less complicated cars that have fewer components.

Source with all kinds of links and more:

https://insideevs.com/news/675517/toyota-battery-breakthrough-745-miles-range/

 

[Chalkie]

OK then. If this pans out and is in line with the current costs of electric vehicles, I have to admit that I would likely be onboard.

[RV_]

Gary, Toyoda, the ex CEO, resigned in disgrace after putting Toyota further behind than all the other ICE engine companies. Just two years ago they were doing this:

" 7/27/2021 - Toyota has been lobbying governments to water-down emissions standards or oppose fossil-fuel vehicle phaseouts, according to a New York Times report. In the last four years, Toyota's political contributions to US politicians and PACs have more than doubled. Those contributions have gotten the company into hot water, too. By donating to congresspeople who oppose tighter emissions limits, the company funded lawmakers who objected to certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election. Though Toyota had promised to stop doing so in January, it was caught making donations to the controversial legislators as recently as last month.

Toyota has also begun to wage a campaign of FUD—fear, uncertainty, and doubt—to cast EVs as unreliable and undesirable. "If we are to make dramatic progress in electrification, it will require overcoming tremendous challenges, including refueling infrastructure, battery availability, consumer acceptance, and affordability," Robert Wimmer, director of energy and environmental research at Toyota Motor North America, told the Senate in March.

Growth curves

While such FUD may have worked in the past when EVs were expensive and charging networks were sparse, it's less effective today and will probably be moot in a few years. Consumers aren't fooled, either. According to recent surveys, somewhere between 30 and 40 percent of consumers say their next purchase will be an EV. Some are following through with their decision sooner than later—plug-in vehicle sales in the US have more than doubled over the last year, compared with just 29 percent growth for the rest of the market."

Source: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/07/toyota-bet-wrong-on-evs-so-now-its-lobbying-to-slow-the-transition/

I really tried to find another brand for Lynn's new car soon. None had any Frunk at all in the 35-60k price range. As well they had little to no storage in the back under the cargo area and no deep storage on both sides of the rear hatch like in our Model Y.

I keep saying this, as a research task, not as an attempt to get others to buy any EV, Tesla or otherwise. 

Tesla is all about speed and handling as a sporty car. Others may want only two wheel drive or less range if they live and work in a big city. Some want comfort over a harder more responsive suspension. I have no issue with that.

I have fun test driving every new EV that comes here, but am very disappointed in the other brands playing catch up. BTW Mercedes signed on for the TESLA connectors and bought rights to our charging system.

Life's for living. Have fun!

Edited July 9, 2023 by RV_