Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. and Toyota Motor Corporation have formalized a joint development agreement aimed at scaling up production of cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries intended for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). By combining their expertise, the two companies plan to advance the commercialization of next-generation batteries that use solid electrolytes instead of liquid solutions.
All-solid-state batteries consist of a cathode, an anode and a solid electrolyte. They promise a smaller footprint, higher power output and longer cycle life compared with conventional liquid-electrolyte batteries. In automotive applications, these batteries could offer extended driving range, faster charging times and improved performance. Toyota is targeting a market launch of BEVs equipped with all-solid-state batteries around 2027–2028.
Since 2021, Sumitomo Metal Mining and Toyota have collaborated on research to address degradation of cathode materials under repeated charging and discharging. Leveraging Sumitomo Metal Mining’s proprietary powder synthesis technology, the teams have developed a highly durable cathode material optimized for solid-state configurations. Drawing on more than two decades of experience supplying cathode materials for various electric vehicles, Sumitomo Metal Mining will lead efforts to transition the newly developed material toward mass production.
Under the agreement, both organizations will continue to refine key parameters, including performance, quality, safety and cost-efficiency of cathode materials. Their goal is to achieve the world’s first practical implementation of all-solid-state batteries in BEVs, potentially reshaping future vehicle design and contributing to carbon-neutral mobility.
In line with Toyota’s “Achieving Zero” and “Beyond Zero” initiatives, this collaboration represents a step toward eliminating negative environmental impacts while creating new value for society. Toyota’s guiding principles emphasize the development of safe, high-quality mobility solutions that support a greener and more inclusive world. As the company evolves into a mobility provider encompassing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, partnerships like this seek to advance sustainable innovations and help realize a carbon-neutral society.
Source: Toyota Global Newsroom
