Car makers to develop next-gen batteries

Honda and Nissan are said to be developing next-generation solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. By developing solid-state batteries the car makers can reduce their car’s charging time, expand their range of green cars and deliver longer driving ranges, all at a lower cost than lithium-ion batteries. “We’ve been researching all solid-state batteries,” Honda spokesman Teruhiko Tatebe said to the Japan Times. “At the moment we’re not developing them with another automaker.” The solid-state battery “has a huge potential” to become the key to boosting EVs, a Honda executive said. The carmaker is considering tying up with other companies to develop car batteries, but technical hurdles remain for mass production. A growing number of automakers including Toyota Motor Corp  and Volkswagen AG are developing all solid-state batteries, which offer more capacity and better safety than conventional lithium-ion batteries by replacing their liquid electrolyte with a solid, conductive material.  Last week Toyota said they were planning on teaming up with Panasonic in order to develop and produce lithium ion and next-generation solid-state batteries.  If Toyota succeeds in commercialising solid-state batteries then it would go a long way to securing Panasonic’s industry leading position. It is currently the main supplier of electric batteries to Tesla.