Honda targets 50% weight reduction in solid-state battery packs for mainstream electric vehicles

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【Summary】Honda aims to reduce the weight of solid-state battery packs in mass market EVs by 50%, potentially doubling the range of vehicles on its existing EV platform or allowing for smaller packs in new models. The company is on track to start pilot production of solid-state batteries and believes that better access to charging, rather than larger batteries, is the solution to range anxiety.

FutureCar Staff Aug 23, 2023 6:18 AM PT

Honda targets 50% weight reduction in solid-state battery packs for mainstream electric vehicles

Honda is making progress in its pilot solid-state battery production and has revealed its plans to utilize the advantages of solid-state batteries. One possibility is that it may double the range of vehicles built on its existing EV platform. Another option is to incorporate smaller battery packs in new mass market EVs.

Last year, Honda announced its intention to invest approximately 43 billion yen in building a demonstration line for the production of all-solid-state batteries. The company aims to start demonstration production by Spring 2024 as part of its electrification strategy.

In a recent interview, Honda executives confirmed their plans for EVs powered by solid-state electrolyte cells. Unlike some US automakers who have taken a "bigger is better" approach to EVs, Honda believes that the opposite approach is more optimal.

Honda believes that the solution to range anxiety is not simply increasing battery size, but improving access to charging infrastructure. The company has already entered the proof-of-concept stage with solid-state technology, which has the potential to reduce weight and increase vehicle range.

Internal testing conducted by Honda has shown that solid-state battery technology can increase energy density, resulting in a 50% reduction in battery pack weight. This means that the same energy can be stored in a smaller, lighter battery. Honda's EV strategy head, Shinji Aoyama, explains that this technology could allow for double the energy volume to be placed in the same car.

Looking towards the future of mass market electric vehicles, Honda plans to develop smaller battery cases for new products. The design flexibility offered by solid-state batteries will enable Honda to create smaller and cheaper EVs, similar to Tesla's upcoming Model 2.

In preparation for this era, Honda is actively exploring the potential of solid-state batteries and their benefits in terms of weight reduction and increased range. The company aims to leverage this technology to create more efficient and accessible electric vehicles.

As the automotive industry continues to evolve, Honda is positioning itself to be at the forefront of electric vehicle innovation. The company's investment in solid-state battery production and its strategic plans for utilizing this technology demonstrate its commitment to sustainable transportation.