Nissan to introduce solid-state battery EVs by 2028: what it means

What are solid-state batteries in electric cars? Why are they better?

Nissan is working on “evolved solid-state batteries” and the company plans to initiate a pilot production plant for the next-gen battery packs by 2025. The Japanese automaker projects to complete its initial application engineering by 2026 followed by vehicle application by 2028. The details come from a report from Autocar‘s discussion with David Moss, Nissan’s senior vice president for research and development in Europe.

“Opens up electric mobility to sectors that you can’t today,” said Moss while talking about solid-state batteries

The company aims to develop a new generation of solid-state batteries which are also known as all-solid-state sodium batteries (ASSB). These battery packs will be devoid of liquid electrolytes. The battery packs have super fast charging speeds that open possibilities for faster, more stable and more consistent charging, consequently reduce the size of battery packs in vehicles. Nissan projects typical charging speeds of 400kW and says that the batteries will be capable of consistently accepting chargers at that speed instead of slowing down and speeding up depending upon external factors.

However, these battery packs will dictate an entirely new ecosystem of vehicle architecture and manufacturing. To eliminate any disruption to existing developmental projects, Nissan will be simultaneously pursuing vehicle development and battery development, separately. The Japanese automaker is also currently working on advancing Lithium Ion battery technology and aims to go cobalt-free li-ion battery in 2028, which according to the company, could make battery packs more economical by 65 percent. 

Nissan plans to invest €15.6 billion in the next five years. The company has already invested €7.8bn so far. Meanwhile, established automakers like Ford, BMW and Toyota too are working on solid-state battery packs for their vehicles and intend on introducing a version of it by 2025.