Feb. 7, 2023–Nissan is aiming to mass-produce solid-state batteries by 2028, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Originally reported by the UK’s Autocar, Nissan has plans for a solid-state battery production plant running by 2025, to complete “engineering on the initial technology” by 2026, and to begin mass production in 2028.
Nissan is far from the only manufacturer exploring solid-state batteries. Toyota and BMW have also voiced interest in producing them. Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Volkswagen are all investing in companies developing solid-state batteries.
The shift from lithium ion batteries is largely due to the complications that come with them, such as them being more fire-prone and needing rare metals to build them.
Lithium ion batteries are also heavy; so heavy that car safety experts have expressed concern with the electric vehicles that are powered by them becoming more frequent on the road. They can also take hours to fully charge, which creates issues in providing enough charging stations for vehicles.
Nissan senior vice president for research and development in Europe, David Moss, said that the company believes the new solid-state batteries will “get the cost down by 50%” compared to lithium ion batteries, as well as “doubling the energy density” and “offer three times the charging speed.”
