Nissan prepping its all-solid-state EV battery pilot production line in Japan

Nissan recently organized a media tour at its in-construction all-solid-state battery pilot line in its Yokohama plant in Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. Under the Nissan Ambition 2030 long-term vision, Nissan aims to launch EVs equipped with the batteries by fiscal year 2028.

The pilot line for in-house assembly of solid-state batteries is aimed to further promote development and innovative manufacturing technologies for next-generation EVs, the company claims. In 2022, the automaker unveiled its prototype production facility for laminated all-solid-state battery cells at its research center in the same facility. 

Expected to be a game-changing battery technology for EVs, the all-solid state batteries have the potential for energy density approximately twice that of conventional lithium-ion batteries, significantly shorter charging time due to superior charge and discharge performance, and lower costs due to less expensive materials. 

Nissan plans to use these batteries in a wide range of vehicle segments, including passenger cars and pickup trucks, making its EVs more competitive. 

The company is conducting a wide ranging research and development, from molecular-level battery material research to electric vehicle development, and even city development using EVs as storage batteries. 

Utilizing this experience, Nissan claims to be stepping up development with the goal of practical implementation. The pilot production line is expected to come online in 2024, with materials, design and manufacturing processes for prototype production to be studied simultaneously. 

Nissan believes all-solid-state batteries can be reduced to $75 per kWh in fiscal 2028 and to $65 per kWh thereafter, placing EVs at the same cost level as gasoline-powered vehicles.