Summary
– Nissan plans to produce solid-state batteries for EVs at scale by 2029 and will use Tesla-style gigacasting machines to increase efficiency and lower costs
– Solid-state batteries are expected to deliver faster charging and longer lifespans compared to current Li-ion designs
– Nissan will develop solid-state batteries at a pilot plant in Yokohama, with production expected to start in 2025 and reach 100 MWh per year by 2028
– The automaker also plans to use heavy-force machines to produce rear floors of EVs, aiming to lower manufacturing costs by 10% and reduce component weight by 20%
– Nissan will launch 30 new models over the next three years, with 16 being electrified, and aims to reduce the cost of plug-in vehicles by 30% to compete with ICE models by 2030
Article
Nissan, Japan’s third-largest automaker, is planning to produce solid-state batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) at scale by early 2029. These batteries are expected to offer faster charging and longer lifespans compared to current lithium-ion designs. The company will use Tesla-style gigacasting machines to increase efficiency and reduce costs on its future EV models. Battery suppliers such as Samsung SDI and CATL have differing opinions on the potential of solid-state batteries.
Nissan intends to develop solid-state batteries at a new pilot plant in Yokohama before ramping up production capacity. The company aims to manufacture its first solid-state batteries at the site in 2025, with a target of producing 100 MWh per year starting in 2028. In addition to batteries, Nissan plans to use heavy-force machines to produce the rear floors of EVs, a process that is expected to lower manufacturing costs by 10% and reduce component weight by 20%. The company has experience using casting boards for structural parts at its Tochigi plant.
The automaker explored various new processes for manufacturing car bodies before deciding to use a 6,000-ton gigacasting machine to produce the rear body structure of cars using aluminum casting. Nissan plans to launch 30 new models over the next three years, with 16 of them being electrified, including eight battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and four plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The company aims to make the next generation of plug-in vehicles 30% cheaper to compete with internal combustion engine (ICE) models by 2030.
Nissan’s Executive VP for Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, Hideyuki Sakamoto, mentioned that the company’s goal is to bring down the cost of EVs to make them competitive with traditional ICE vehicles in the coming years. By utilizing solid-state batteries and gigacasting machines, Nissan is focusing on innovation and efficiency to drive the electric vehicle market forward. The automaker’s commitment to electrification and sustainability is evident through its investment in advanced manufacturing technologies and its ambitious plans for the future of mobility.
Incorporating solid-state batteries into its lineup will help Nissan stay competitive in the EV space and meet the growing demand for electric vehicles worldwide. The shift towards electrification is a key focus for the automotive industry, and automakers like Nissan are working on developing cutting-edge technologies to enhance performance, reduce costs, and ultimately make sustainable transportation more accessible to consumers. With a strategic plan to launch new electrified models and leverage innovative manufacturing processes, Nissan is positioning itself as a leader in the transition towards a more sustainable and electric future for the automotive industry.
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