Toyota Set To Accelerate EV Development Plans, 1,500 KM-range Batteries Included

Toyota's distinct EV badge as seen on the bZ4X EV crossover SUV.

It appears Japanese carmaking giant Toyota is bowing down to pressure from both critics and investors alike to accelerate its electric vehicle (EV) tech development. From its annual tech development conference held recently this week, the Japanese powerhouse has reportedly outlined its new and accelerated EV tech development roadmap.

Firstly, the plan sees Toyota promising a new-generation of industry-leading EVs from the second half of this decade, followed by plans to introduce solid-state batteries from 2028. The latter even promises driving ranges of up to 1,500 KM on a single charge.

Furthermore, Toyota claims that its "next-generation" lithium ion batteries will launch from 2026, which will reportedly be a Lexus-badged offering, and offer no less than 1000 KM of driving range. The next step comes in 2026-2027, and it involves a bipolar lithium iron phosphate battery that can slash costs by 40% compared to the previous iteration.

Next, an advanced bipolar lithium iron battery with 10% more range is scheduled to go into production in 2027-2028. After which, Toyota’s solid-state batteries tech are set increase said range by 50% after 2028 Interestingly, these are just two of five different battery types being developed by Toyota as part of its new and accelerated EV strategy that promises various improvements towards both driving range and costs. 

Toyota's Chief Technology Officer, Hiroki Nakajima.

“We are determined to be the world leader in batteries,” expressed Hiroki Nakajima, Toyota’s Chief Technology Officer. The exec continued by saying, “"We will need various options for batteries, just like we have different variations of engines. It is important to make these batteries compatible with any kind of model."

This is indeed quite the reversal from what the chief scientist initially said last month where he claims hybrid engines were betters for nations that rely on coal to produce electricity, whilst EVs only favoured nations that have sustainable electricity grids.

Accelerated EV development also sees Toyota aiming to produce up to 1.7 million EVs by 2030.

With this technology, Toyota reckons around 1.7 million EVs will be made built using this newly developed, purpose-built architecture by 2030, which will then benefit from solid-state batteries starting in 2027.

Speaking of production, Toyota is also mulling the deployment of giga casting tech as a means to simplify and boost vehicle manufacturing. Likely inspired by rivals Tesla and its own giga presses, Toyota also plans to develop ultra-aerodynamic designs with sub 0.20 drag coefficiency ratings over the next two or three years.

Toyota bZ4X previewed in Malaysia recently.

Surely, this accelerated EV tech development plan could only be a good thing, and will likely spawn even more all-electric offerings. Presently, Toyota’s sole EV fighter comes in the form of the bZ4X crossover that was recently previewed on Malaysian soil ahead of a possible launch in Q3 this year.

You can read more about the Toyota bZ4X from said preview by clicking these blue words…