Toyota presents battery strategy - aims to catch up with the next generation

Great ambitions after the late start in pure electromobility: The Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota has introduced a battery strategy and wants to play a significant role in the core competency of BEVs. For the next generation of electric cars, they are currently developing new, more powerful high-voltage batteries. To meet the different customer needs and expectations, the company is relying on different technologies.

The new electric cars are expected to hit the market for the first time in 2026. Nearly half of the approximately 3.5 million Toyota electric vehicles sold by the year 2030 are expected to belong to the new model generation. The company is building its own production plant for this purpose, which will commence operations at the same time. Battery technology plays a crucial role in making electric cars more attractive to even more people.

“Just as we offer different engines, we also need various battery options. It is important to provide battery solutions that are compatible with a variety of models and customer needs,” explained Takero Kato, President of the new Toyota BEV plant, at a technical workshop.

The Japanese are working on four next-generation battery types that function with liquid or solid electrolytes, thereby covering the current range of technology, as stated.

Powerful Liquid Electrolyte Batteries

The current electric cars mainly use high-voltage batteries with liquid electrolyte. To improve energy density, costs, and charging times, this technology is being consistently advanced. For different applications, the company relies on various materials:

• Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries:

The so-called performance lithium-ion batteries, which will come to the market with the next EV generation in 2026, enable WLTP ranges of more than 800 kilometers in combination with better aerodynamics and a lower vehicle weight. The batteries can be charged from ten to 80 percent within 20 minutes or less. At the same time, costs are reduced by 20 percent compared to the current battery generation.

• “Popularization” High-Voltage Battery (Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries):

To increase the attractiveness of electric cars, Toyota is also developing high-quality but more cost-effective batteries. The so-called “popularization” battery is based on the bipolar technology that Toyota has already introduced with its nickel-metal hydride hybrid batteries and uses lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) as the core material.

The new battery is expected to offer 20 percent more range at 40 percent lower costs compared to the current battery generation used in the bZ4X SUV. Charging from ten to 80 percent at appropriate charging stations takes about 30 minutes. A market launch is conceivable in 2026/27.

• High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries

The also under-development high-performance battery combines bipolar structure with lithium-ion chemistry and a nickel cathode. Combined with improved aerodynamics and reduced vehicle weight, more than 1,000 kilometers of range are targeted. At fast-charging stations, the charging time from ten to 80 percent is expected to be 20 minutes or less. The Japanese are also aiming for a further cost reduction of ten percent compared to the performance battery. The battery is expected to hit the market in 2027/28.