Hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming popular globally, with more automakers releasing all-new models.

However, one glaring weakness of EVs is their charging times and driving range. These vehicles require more “downtime” to charge up and are currently limited by how far they can drive with their battery packs.

Toyota wants to improve these vehicles by introducing solid-state batteries to its future lineup of electrified cars as early as 2027, along with other technologies that will enhance their driving range while simultaneously cutting costs.

Solid-state batteries hold more energy than current liquid electrolyte batteries, albeit at a higher cost.

The Japanese automaker also claims that in 2026, its next-generation lithium-ion batteries will deliver a cruising range of 1,000 kilometers on a single charge.

Playing catch up

The moves are part of Toyota's sweeping initiative to accelerate EV development, where the Japanese car giant has lagged behind rivals.

This should make Toyota EVs more appealing to customers as it eliminates range anxiety and surpasses internal combustion engine vehicles in terms of their driving range. 

The company added that it plans to transition from lithium-ion batteries to lithium-iron phosphate batteries, which are cheaper and have become popular in other EV markets like China.

Under its new president and CEO Koji Sato, Toyota plans to roll out 10 new EV models by 2026.

The future of batteries

Toyota has also revealed its battery technology roadmap for the coming years with plans to provide various options to buyers who want more driving range, but at a lower cost. 

It also shows that Toyota plans to offer two next-gen battery types in 2026 and 2027, including performance and popularization versions. 

While the automaker hasn’t released any specifics about these battery packs, what we can tell from the image is that the “performance model’ will still use the same lithium nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) battery chemistry currently available, but will come with 20 percent more driving range with a 20 percent cost reduction. 

Meanwhile, the “popularization model” also offers 20 percent more driving range, but a 40 percent reduction in costs as it utilizes the new solid-state lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack. 

As for its future evolution plans, it seems that Toyota will release a high-performance battery that combines a bipolar structure with a high nickel cathode to increase cruising range by 10 percent, reduce costs by 20 percent and offer quick charging (10 percent to 80 percent) in 20 minutes or less.

What about solid-state battery technology?

Toyota has stated that it has discovered a breakthrough with solid-state EV battery technology.

While it didn’t go into much detail about the discovery, the automaker has indicated that it is expected to offer a 20 percent improvement in cruising range and a 10-minute quick charge time.

A higher-performance version is under research and development, which Toyota says will deliver 50 percent more cruising range, suggesting it would be over 1,448 kilometers.

The Japanese brand will reportedly start mass-producing these new solid-state LFP batteries by 2027 to 2028. However, remember that many things can change between now and 2027 as sodium-ion batteries are slowly becoming popular in China.

Sodium-ion batteries are easier to make as sodium is more abundant than lithium. 

So, what does it mean for EV buyers?

The main takeaway from Toyota's roadmap is that battery technology is improving.

Future customers can expect cheaper EVs with longer ranges and quicker charging times. However, these technologies are still a few years away from hitting the global market.

More range, but at a more affordable price? What's not to like?

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