Honda has been promising to unlock the power of all-solid-state EV batteries for several years. Today, we are getting our first look at the progress. Honda unveiled a demonstration production line as it continues to advance promising new battery technology.
By 2050, Honda wants all its products and corporate activities to be carbon neutral. Although electric vehicles are essential to this mission, Honda believes improvements are needed.
Since the battery is such a critical component for EVs, the company aims to unlock more driving range at a lower cost with new chemistries.
Honda is developing all-solid-state EV batteries in-house to power up its next-gen vehicles. It’s not “merely trying to establish a lab-level technology,” Honda is eyeing mass production in the coming years.
On Wednesday, Honda unveiled its demonstration production line for all-solid-state EV batteries, giving us our first look at the progress.
The line is located at Honda’s R&D facility in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Honda will use the demo line as a preface for mass production while determining the basic specifications of the battery cells.
Honda is launching EVs with all-solid-state batteries
Honda plans to launch electric models with the new all-solid-state battery tech in the “second half of the 2020s.”
The new demo line replicates the processes required for mass production. It covers around 295,000 ft2 (27,400 m2) and is already equipped with the tools to verify each production process, including weighing and mixing electrode materials, coating, and roll pressing electrode assemblies. The line also supports the formation of cells and the assembly of the module.
After the new facility was completed this spring, all the equipment needed for verification is now in place.
Honda plans to begin production on the new demo line in January 2025. With a highly efficient production process and a wide range of use cases, including automobiles, motorcycles, and aircraft, Honda aims to slash battery costs.
To speed up development, Honda is conducting “speedy research” in two main areas: material specifications and manufacturing methods.
The company plans to start mass producing all-solid-state EV batteries in the second half of the 2020s.
Ahead of its 2050 carbon neutrality target, Honda aims for 100% of global vehicle sales to be EV or FCEV by 2040. Honda believes the new battery tech will be its differentiator.