The next-generation technology will double the energy density and triple the charging speed compared to lithium-ion batteries.
In early 2022, Nissan announced plans to begin mass production of solid-state batteries in 2028. Before that happens, a pilot plant will be up and running by 2025, with engineering completed by 2026. In a new interview with the British magazine Autocar, the company’s vice president of research and development in Europe talked about three main advantages.
David Moss reiterated that solid-state batteries will triple the charging speed to 400kW. In addition, Nissan aims to double the energy density and cut production costs in half compared to current lithium-ion batteries. At this stage of development, Japanese engineers in collaboration with Oxford University scientists created 10-centimeter square cells. The end cells will be roughly the same size as a laptop.
Nissan is working on all-solid-state batteries, meaning all liquid elements will be removed. Moss told Autocar that the automaker now has an advantage when it comes to removing the liquid electrolyte. Keeping it will have a negative impact on energy transfer and power. He further noted that the use of new technology will make it more feasible to produce large electric pickup trucks and SUVs.
The futuristic Surf-Out shown here was launched in late 2021. However, 2028 is still a long way off, so it’s unlikely that the concept was a preview of a solid-state battery electric car. This may or may not be related to recent rumors that Nissan is planning a small electric truck for the United States.
Moss declined to specify which electric vehicle will be the first to use solid-state batteries, but strongly suggested that it would not be related to current models. He explained that a completely new architecture is needed, noting that Nissan can offer two battery sizes that recharge at constant rates regardless of temperature fluctuations.
Pursuing solid-state batteries doesn’t mean Nissan has given up on lithium-ion batteries, as Moss believes they will co-exist for some time. A new generation of lithium-ion batteries will be ready around the middle of the decade, and a cobalt-free battery is planned for 2028. The latest generation is estimated to cut costs by up to 65 percent compared to today’s batteries.
Meanwhile, the internal combustion engines remain relevant, but Moss said they will not be updated to meet the critics’ Euro 7 requirements. The logic behind this decision is that stricter emissions laws will make internal combustion engines significantly more expensive in the European Union, while electric cars are estimated to become more affordable. Therefore, price parity between internal combustion engines and electric vehicles depends on when, not if. Moss said, ‘we’re not too far from where they’ll intersect in value.’
Nissan won’t be the first automaker to have a production car with solid-state batteries, as Toyota has promised to be ahead of the curve by 2025. However, the vehicle in question will not be an electric car, but rather a hybrid. BMW is one of several companies working on the technology and has promised to begin its own test production later this year, with a demonstration car due out by 2025.
