Honda Begins Demo Production of Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries have been touted as a sort of silver bullet to squelch the concerns around EVs. The high-energy density of the technology means smaller batteries with the same range as current EVs. More actually since the weight savings will lead to increased range. Plus solid-state batteries charge quicker than traditional lithium-ion batteries. As quickly as gassing up a car. 

Honda has been working on its solid-state battery system for over two years. The plan has been to have a solid-state lineup of vehicles by the end of the year. While I was abe to see the test production of the batteries, a small portion of a larger facility creating a small batch of batteries doesn't always lead to mass production. Fast forward to now and the automaker is building a demonstration production line at its R&D center in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

This is the step right before Honda begins full production of the batteries. The line will begin producing the batteries in January of 2025. During that time Honda will verify the technical capabilities of the line while figuring out how much each process will cost during assembly.  This will happen in conjunction with the development of the battery cell specifications. 

Solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte versus the liquid electrolyte found in traditional lithium-ion and other battery technologies found in electric vehicles. The solid electrolyte is more stable and allows for batteries that run at higher temperatures and at higher voltages with less concern about issues like thermal runaway. 

The issue has been dendrites. These tiny crystals form much quicker in solid-state batteries and cause electrical shortages. Because of these, solid-state battery charge cycles have yet to meet that of lithium-ion batteries. Honda's solution to the problem is a roll-pressing manufacturing technique combined with a polymer fabric. The fabric is situated between the solid electrolyte and the electrodes. 

The goal is to have vehicles with these solid-state batteries on the road in the second half of the decade. If Honda pulls this off it would be a huge win not just for the automaker but for EVs as a whole. 

Once mass production begins, solid-state batteries will be smaller and weigh less than current EV batteries. The batteries will cost less and that savings should be passed on to the consumer. These vehicles will also charge quicker. Pull-through gas station pumps could be replaced by charging stations that deliver energy as quickly as those stations deliver petrol. 

This is also good news for the state of Ohio. Honda's EV Hub in Ohio will soon become a hotbed of solid-state production once the kinks have been ironed out of solid-state production. An EV that charges as quickly as a gas car and weighs essentially the same would be a huge win for Honda and should lead to increased sales of its upcoming EV lineups. More cars being built means more jobs. 

At a global level, Honda wants all its products and corporate activities to be carbon neutral by 2050 and is targeting 100 percent of its vehicles to be either electric or fuel cell by 2040. 

In a press release about the news Keiji Otsu, President and Representative Director of Honda R&D said, "The all-solid-state battery is an innovative technology that will be a game changer in this EV era. Replacing engines that have been supporting the advancements of automobiles to date, batteries will be the key factor of electrification. We believe that advancement of batteries will be a driving force in the transformation of Honda. Now, the start of operation of our demonstration production line for our all-solid-state batteries is in sight, and we can say that we have reached an important milestone for Honda and the country of Japan. We will continue taking on challenges to launch our mobility products equipped with our all-solid-state batteries as quickly as possible so that Honda can offer new value to our customers."