Our battery technology roadmap to change the future of cars

New advanced batteries to exceed our customers diversifying needs and expectations

21/09/2023

Our new next-generation battery electric vehicles (BEV) will start production in 2026, as announced during the launch of our BEV factory. Powered by a range of new advanced batteries to appeal a wider range of customers, these vehicles will be built and designed differently.

Cars built to meet everyone’s needs

In a recent technical workshop under the theme “Let’s Change the Future of Cars”, Takero Kato, president of Toyota’s BEV Factory announced that in 2026 the next-generation BEVs will enter the market, expecting that 1.7m of the 3.5 m BEVs to be sold by 2030 will be next-generation models. A wide range of battery technologies will be key to appealing BEVs to a wider range of customers and satisfying society’s diversifying needs.

“We will need various options for batteries, just like we have different variations of engines. It is important to offer battery solutions compatible with a variety of models and customer needs"

Said the President of the BEV Factory, Takero Kato.

Improving battery performance

Batteries with liquid electrolytes are currently the mainstream technology for BEVs. To improve the energy density, cost competitiveness and charging speed of our batteries we are developing three main technologies that we have classified under the names of “Performance”, “Popularisation” and “High Performance”. With the Lithium-Ion “Performance” battery, we target to increase our BEVs driving range to over 800km when combined with aerodynamics, and reduced vehicle weight. Charging this battery will take 20 minutes or less1 and a cost reduction of 20%2 is expected.

A wide range of battery options

Similar to the choice customers have today with different powertrains, a wide variety of high-quality, lower-cost battery options will support the wider appeal of BEVs. The “Popularisation” battery, to hit the market in 2026-27, will use our bipolar technology combined with inexpensive lithium iron phosphate, to achieve increased cruising range by 20%², a cost reduction of 40%² and recharging in 30 minutes or less1. The "high performance” battery, to be ready for 2027-28, will provide a cruising range >1000km³, 10% cost reduction compared to the “Performance” battery and recharge in 20 minutes or less¹.

Our breakthrough solid-state batteries

We are developing solid-state batteries with a solid electrolyte that are suitable for fast charging and discharging, delivering more power in a smaller form. To date, the compromise was an expected shorter battery life. We now achieved technological advancements to overcome this challenge and focus on mass production by 2027-28. Our first solid-state battery is expected to offer 20% increase in cruising range⁴ and a charging time of 10 minutes or less¹. Moreover, a higher specification Li-ion solid-state battery with 50% more driving range than the “Performance” battery is also under development.

Optimising aerodynamics and battery height

Aerodynamics play a key role in determining the range of all vehicles. Central to our thinking is the height of the battery, which is typically packaged under the vehicle’s floor. This can lead to an overall increase in vehicle height and consequently improve the vehicle range performance. If the height of the battery can be reduced, then the overall height of the vehicle can be reduced too, improving the overall range. We plan to reduce the battery height to 120mm, and even 100mm in the case of high-performance sports vehicles where a low hip-position is also desirable.

¹ State of charge = 10-80%
² Compared to the current bZ4X
³combined with improved aerodynamics and reduced vehicle weight
⁴compared to the “Performance” battery