Toyota's EV battery breakthrough: 500 miles of range expected by 2026

Toyota is ramping up its efforts in the electric vehicle (EV) market, with plans to develop battery technology that can achieve a range of 500 miles by 2026. The company's "roadmap" also includes the introduction of a solid-state battery in 2027-28, which would offer a range of 620 miles and an 80% charge in just 10 minutes. Toyota envisions that advanced cell technologies could eventually extend the driving range of EVs to over 746 miles and even up to 932 miles.

In the short term, Toyota is working on two batteries: a lithium-ion Performance cell and a lithium-iron-phosphate "Popularisation" battery for entry-level EVs. By 2027-28, the Performance battery will be replaced by a lithium-ion High Performance pack, offering a range of 621 miles, a 10% lower cost, and a 20-minute charging time. The company has already released its first electric crossover, the bZ4X, and plans to globally market 3.5 million EVs with various models and power specifications by 2030.

Toyota is also focused on reducing the thickness of its battery packs to improve interior comfort and aerodynamics. The battery in the bZ4X measures 5.9 inches, but the company aims to reduce it to 4.7 inches for regular vehicles and 3.9 inches for sports cars. Takero Kato, president of Toyota's EV development center, emphasized the importance of offering battery solutions that are compatible with different models and customer needs.

Watch the related video for more information on Toyota's electric vehicle plans.