Toyota solid-state battery tech a game changer, but company committed to hydrogen cars

Toyota is developing its solid-state battery technology to keep pace with China’s demand for EVs.

Solid-state battery could improve driving range

Toyota says its solid-state battery technology under development could be a game changer for electric vehicles, but the Japanese automaker says it is not shifting entirely away from hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles.

The pivot is likely due to China’s push to promote electric vehicles as the world’s largest car market tries to reduce pollution.

For years, Toyota had invested in fuel-cell vehicle and plug-in hybrid technology, saying these were the most sensible green-car technologies.

But in a surprise move last year, Toyota announced plans to add full-sized EVs to its fleet.

“We believe our solid-state battery technology can be a game changer with the potential to dramatically improve driving range,” Executive Vice President Didier Leroy said at the Tokyo Motor Show, according to Reuters.

The world’s largest automaker says it will roll out a new EV in the early years of the coming decade.  The vehicles will be powered by solid-state batteries, which Toyota says will reduce charging times.

Despite China’s interest in EVs, Toyota is not abandoning its hydrogen fuel-cell technology.

According to Leroy, Toyota will introduce two new fuel-cell vehicles at the Tokyo Motor Show.  One of the vehicles will be the six-seater “Fine-Comfort Ride” concept car which has a cruising range of 1,000 Km.

Toyota will launch the “Sora”, a fuel-cell bus next year.  The company expects to sell over 100, mostly in Tokyo, ahead of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in the Japanese capital city.