Honda readies pilot production line for solid-state batteries

Honda is joining the pioneering car group that takes solid-state battery technology from the lab to a demonstration production line. Verification production will begin in January next year at a Sakura facility just north of Tokyo.

Honda’s pilot line will test and refine production procedures for this next-generation battery type, often hailed as a potential game changer in EV performance, cost, and safety. Honda considers the technology critical to reach its ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality across its products and operations by 2050.

Mimicking the real thing

Honda’s demo line will replicate processes required for mass production, including the weighing and mixing of electrode materials, roll-pressing for electrode assemblies, cell formation, and module assembly. This facility will also provide proof for streamlining cost efficiency and production scalability.

By applying a roll-pressing technique to produce denser electrolyte layers, Honda is tackling one of the significant challenges of solid-state technology: ensuring uniformity and quality at scale.

This lack is currently one reason the technology is pricey and challenging to produce in larger quantities. If all goes according to plan, the Japanese brand aims to integrate these solid-state batteries into its electrified models in the second half of the 2020s.

From EVs to aircraft

The new facility is a pivotal part of Honda’s strategy to shift from sourcing batteries externally to manufacturing them in-house. The automaker has invested approximately ¥43 billion (€265 million) in the pilot plant. The economies of scale originate from various applications, from EVs to motorcycles and aircraft.

“The all-solid-state battery is an innovative technology that will be a game changer in this EV era,” said Keiji Otsu, President and Representative Director of Honda R&D. “Replacing engines that have driven automobile advancements to date, batteries will now become the key factor of electrification.”

Honda is not alone in pursuing solid-state innovation. Rival automakers, including MG, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, and Volkswagen, are also racing to bring solid-state batteries to market by the late 2020s.

Nissan projects a market debut by 2028, while Toyota has announced two solid-state battery versions and charging times as low as ten minutes. MG is at the forefront, announcing a solid-state version of its Cyberster in 2026.

Seven profitable EV models

Despite the competitive field, Honda is confident in its approach, emphasizing adopting conventional lithium-ion manufacturing techniques for a smoother transition to solid-state production.

The automaker plans to roll out seven profitable EV models by the decade’s end and aims to double battery production capacity to support 2 million EVs annually.

In theory, solid-state batteries are poised to outpace traditional lithium-ion packs. Due to their solid electrolytes, they offer increased energy density, faster charging, and improved safety.