Summary
- Honda unveiled a demonstration production line for solid-state batteries in Sakura City, Japan
- The facility aims to establish the process for mass production and determine costs and specifications
- Cell production is set to begin in January 2025, slightly delayed from the initial target date of spring 2024
- Honda’s production process utilizes roll-pressing to increase density of solid electrolyte layers unique to solid-state cells
- The automaker plans to start mass production in the second half of the 2020s for use in automobiles, motorcycles, and aircraft
Article
Honda has unveiled a demonstration production line for solid-state batteries in Sakura City, Japan, with the goal of commercializing the technology later in the decade. The 295,000-square-foot facility is intended to establish the process for mass production, determine costs, and finalize cell specifications. Construction was completed in the spring, with plans to begin making cells in January 2025, slightly later than the initial target date of spring 2024.
The production process Honda plans to use is based on liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion cells, with a roll-pressing step unique to solid-state cells to increase the density of solid electrolyte layers and improve interfacial contact between the electrolyte and electrodes. The automaker aims to consolidate and accelerate various parts of the production process, including bonding electrodes and reducing associated costs such as energy consumption.
Honda aims to start mass production of solid-state batteries in the second half of the 2020s for use in automobiles, motorcycles, and aircraft. By expanding the applications of solid-state batteries, Honda hopes to achieve reasonable economies of scale to make them financially viable. This aligns with the automaker’s goal of introducing a small, affordable EV by 2030, leveraging the technology’s lower costs and higher potential range compared to current cell chemistries.
The automaker has been discussing solid-state batteries since at least 2021, with CEO Toshihiro Mibe mentioning the potential for this technology to enable more affordable EVs by 2030. By focusing on streamlining the production process and reducing costs associated with solid-state battery manufacturing, Honda aims to make the technology accessible not only for automobiles but also for motorcycles and aircraft, expanding its reach and application.
Overall, Honda’s demonstration production line for solid-state batteries represents a significant step towards commercializing this technology and making it more widely available across various industries, including automotive, aviation, and more. By investing in research and development, streamlining production processes, and targeting mass production in the second half of the decade, Honda is positioning itself as a leader in the development and adoption of solid-state batteries for future transportation and energy storage needs.
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