Nissan is aiming to launch its first electric vehicles powered by all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) by the end of fiscal year 2028, a senior executive said, as the Japanese automaker moves closer to commercializing next-generation battery technology.
“That’s our ambition,” said Shunichi Inamijima, vice president of Nissanās powertrain and EV engineering division, speaking through a translator during a technology preview event in Japan. He added that the company is in the āclimaxā of engineering the battery pack and will soon begin work on integrating the technology into vehicles.
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The timeline sets a target for commercialization by March 31, 2029, the end of Japanās 2028 fiscal year. Nissan had previously announced the goal in 2023, but this latest update indicates progress with the companyās pilot production line, which is now operational. Although full-scale manufacturing is still several years away, Nissan is advancing final design validation for the battery cells.
The automakerās solid-state battery will feature a lithium-metal anode paired with a sulfur electrolyte. Cathode options under consideration include nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC), nickel-manganese (NM), and a future sulfur-manganese formulation, which could eliminate cobaltāa costly and limited resourceāfrom the supply chain.
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The company is targeting a volumetric energy density of 1,000 watt-hours per liter, significantly higher than the roughly 700 Wh/L typical of current lithium-ion batteries. Nissan also claims the battery can charge to 65% capacity in just five minutes and withstand temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius (212Ā°F), while offering improved durability compared to other solid-state designs published so far.
While the first vehicle to feature the new battery technology has not yet been confirmed, company executives said the ASSBs will not be limited to battery-electric vehicles. The technology could also be deployed in hybrids, especially larger SUVs, offering advantages in weight, thermal stability, and cost-efficiency.
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Nissanās timeline is one of the most aggressive among major automakers. While companies such as Mercedes-Benz and its partner Factorial are also advancing solid-state programs, and semi-solid-state cells are already on the market in China, a true commercial-scale ASSB remains elusive.
āWe are receiving a lot of inquiries and interest,ā Inamijima said, signaling Nissanās confidence in its position as the technology race intensifies.
Source: InsideEVs