Nissan has achieved a major milestone in solid-state battery development, producing prototype cells that could double the range of current electric vehicles, according to a report by Nikkei. The automaker aims to commercialise the next-generation battery technology within the next three years.
The Nikkei report said the prototype solid-state cells meet Nissan’s internal performance targets for energy density and charging capability. The cells reportedly offer double the energy storage per unit of volume compared with current lithium-ion batteries, promising longer driving ranges and faster charging times. The results now need to be stabilised and scaled for mass production.
See also: Nissan Partners with LiCAP to Advance Dry Electrode Technology for Solid-State Batteries
Nissan plans to begin commercial production of solid-state batteries in the 2028 fiscal year, between April 2028 and March 2029, in line with the company’s existing roadmap. A pilot production line in Yokohama has been operational since January 2025, producing early prototype cells as part of the company’s development phase. Pre-series output from the facility is scheduled to begin next year.
In a statement released earlier this year, Nissan confirmed that it will increase production capacity at the Yokohama site, employing around 100 workers per shift to achieve an annual output of 100 MWh. The company intends to deploy solid-state batteries across multiple vehicle segments, including pickup trucks, to enhance the competitiveness and efficiency of its electric vehicle lineup.
See also: Nissan Targets Commercial Rollout of Solid-State Batteries by 2028
Solid-state batteries are widely seen as a potential breakthrough for the automotive industry, offering higher energy density, improved safety, and faster charging compared with conventional lithium-ion cells. Japanese manufacturers including Toyota and Honda are also investing heavily in this field as part of national efforts to regain leadership in the global battery market.
According to Nikkei, Nissan’s collaboration with U.S.-based production specialist LiCAP has been instrumental in reaching current performance levels. LiCAP’s dry electrode manufacturing process is expected to play a key role in enabling large-scale solid-state battery production. “LiCAP has only limited experience with large-scale production lines,” the report noted, suggesting that further optimisation will be essential before mass-market deployment.
See also: Nissan Roadmap for Solid-State Battery Production: Pilot Plant by 2025, Mass Production by 2028
Nissan is targeting a production cost of around $75 per kilowatt-hour for its solid-state batteries — roughly 30% below the global average battery pack price in 2024. If achieved, this could give the company a significant cost advantage as electric vehicle demand continues to rise worldwide.
