Nissan Says It Will Make Next-Generation EV Batteries By Early 2029

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – Nissan plans to mass-produce electric vehicles powered by sophisticated next-generation batteries by early 2029, the firm announced Tuesday during a media tour of an unfinished pilot facility.

In the burgeoning all-electric auto sector, Japan’s traditional automakers have lagged behind newer competitors like Tesla in the United States and BYD in China.

Next-Generation EV Batteries: Photo AP

Nissan Says It Will Make Next-Generation EV Batteries By Early 2029

However, like other companies, Nissan sees an opportunity to catch up and leapfrog ahead with a new type of battery that promises to be more powerful, cheaper, safer, and faster to charge than the lithium-ion batteries used today.

Solid-state batteries, which replace the corrosive liquids present in conventional batteries with solid metals, are widely seen as the next step for EVs, and major automakers are racing to build mass-produced versions.

Rivals such as Volkswagen and Toyota have also declared plans to build solid-state EVs, with Toyota aiming for a commercial launch in 2027-28.

However, significant difficulties must be solved before the technique enters mass production.

Next-Generation EV Batteries: Photo AP

Nissan Says It Will Make Next-Generation EV Batteries By Early 2029

The enormous building Nissan unveiled Tuesday was still mostly vacant, but company officials said it will start operating a prototype production line in March 2025. Commercial EV manufacturing will begin in fiscal year 2028, which runs from April 2028 to March 2029.

“Once electric vehicles get rolling, the expenses will be lower than for internal combustion engines. They will also be quite convenient. For starters, you will never have to visit a gas station,” Executive Vice President Hideyuki Sakamoto told reporters during a tour of the large plant southwest of Tokyo.

“The engineers at Nissan are all working hard to create this new world,” Sakamoto said.

Nissan officials provide little details about key aspects of the technology, including the amount of investment and global production plans.

They stated that the company had developed essential, unique materials for the batteries, including a metal version of lithium.

Next-Generation EV Batteries: Photo AP

Nissan Says It Will Make Next-Generation EV Batteries By Early 2029

Nissan was an EV pioneer, launching the all-electric Leaf in 2010. The company intends to sell solid-state batteries in various types, including pickup trucks.

“We are finally in the phase of scaling up on our all-solid-state battery line,” stated Shunichi Inamijima, corporate vice president.

“Our all-solid-state battery technology is a game-changer for making EV sales grow explosively.”

SOURCE – (AP)