Often thought of as the “next big thing” in electric vehicle (EV) battery technology, Solid State Batteries (SSB) are notoriously complex and expensive to manufacture. But Toyota revealed at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 that it’s nearing a breakthrough, and is set to reveal its first SSB-equipped model between 2027-2028.
SSBs are significantly more energy-dense than traditional lithium-ion units, enabling battery packs that are much lighter and more compact. They also deliver higher performance, offering greater range and power while lasting up to four times longer — which translates to a 75% reduction in carbon emissions in the big picture.
At a media briefing during the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Toyota Carbon Neutral Engineering Development Centre President, Keiji Kaita, described solid-state batteries (SSBs) as “very important for the future,” citing their superior performance and lifespan compared to current liquid-based battery packs.
Shown at the event was a physical SSB prototype, which Toyota claimed to be capable of up to 1,200 km of range — on what conditions, the Japanese carmaker hasn’t disclosed yet. The company also added that its SSB can double the amount of power produced by current-generation batteries.
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Regarding what to expect in future SSB models, Kaita said, “For the all-solid-state battery, the characteristic is high power, compact, and long range.”
“We will try to reduce the carbon footprint and the key here is reducing the CO2 output in the process of manufacturing the material. But the most important thing is producing a battery whose life is longer,” Kaita added.
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When asked about which of its models will be the first car to feature the SSB, Kaita said, “Whether it will be a Lexus or Toyota, we will leave that to your imagination. But given its “high power” brief, and higher cost in manufacturing, it’ll most likely make its first appearance in a high-end performance-oriented model — perhaps the upcoming Toyota GR GT or its sister car, the production version of the Lexus Sports Concept.
For the more general-purpose models, Toyota will continue to develop lower-weight lithium-ion batteries for its next-generation EV vehicles. Its next-generation lithium batteries will feature side-mounted terminals along with a shorter height, freeing up not just more interior space, but also in terms of packaging flexibility, enabling sleeker and lower designs like the Toyota Corolla concept – and ultimately resulting in better handling cars thanks to its lower centre of gravity.
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