Japanese automaker Honda is making significant strides towards eliminating the range anxiety and cost concerns associated with electric vehicles (EVs). The company aims to achieve this ambitious goal by 2030 through the development of solid-state batteries. Last month, Honda unveiled its demonstration production line for this cutting-edge technology at its research and development compound in Tochigi, Japan. The company is targeting a production capacity that would facilitate the creation of an EV capable of travelling 620 miles on a single charge, essentially doubling the current range offered by comparable models.
Honda's solid-state batteries are projected to be 35 percent lighter and half the size of existing wet-cell batteries. For context, while the current battery found in the Honda Prologue weighs approximately 1,200 pounds, the anticipated solid-state design would tip the scales at about 780 pounds. This reduction in weight and size presents a significant opportunity for Honda, enabling the potential for more efficient vehicles that fall within the wheelbase of cars like the popular Civic.
According to Honda, the cost of solid-state batteries is also expected to decrease significantly. The company is targeting a 25 percent reduction in costs by 2030, which it hopes will enhance accessibility for a broader segment of the consumer market. With the competitive landscape of EV manufacturing evolving and rivals like Toyota exploring similar technologies, Honda's advancements could play a crucial role in establishing a more competitive offering within the sector.
The solid-state battery production process involves mixing the electrolyte slurry in large batches and roll-pressing it into a dense, clay-like panel. This design allows for increased surface area contact with the battery electrodes, thereby enhancing energy efficiency. Furthermore, Honda's manufacturing method is aimed at simplifying production, which could lead to faster and more affordable battery generation, ultimately resulting in cheaper vehicles for consumers. Part of Honda's strategy includes reducing reliance on cobalt, nickel, and lithium in battery components.
Despite these innovations, Honda faces significant challenges in scaling its solid-state battery technology. The production of larger batteries necessitates meticulous precision in the manufacturing process, particularly in controlling temperature and humidity to avoid internal short-circuits. Yoshiaki Matsuzono, Honda's Executive Chief Engineer, noted, “For automotive use, the size of all-solid-state batteries will need to be large enough, and it is very difficult to produce such batteries while trying to meet automobile standards. The most difficult part is to make these bigger.” Currently, Honda’s estimate is that their solid-state cells must be sized 100 times larger to meet the necessary automotive requirements.
As Honda progresses towards its 2030 deadline, the company acknowledges that even successful implementation of solid-state batteries will not be the end of innovation. Future plans include ongoing research to develop even smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective battery solutions, which could further enhance the feasibility and attractiveness of electric vehicles in subsequent decades.
Source: Noah Wire Services