Subaru has begun testing all-solid-state batteries at its Oizumi plant in Japan, initially deploying the technology in industrial robots used to automate production, the company said.
The batteries, which can last more than a decade without replacement, are currently too small to power vehicles, according to Automotive News.
The automaker plans to begin testing solid-state batteries in vehicles by the end of the month, although a commercial EV using the technology is not expected in the near term.
Maxwell Ltd., which manufactures the ceramic-packaged all-solid-state batteries, is focusing on smaller battery packs for industrial equipment while exploring potential automotive applications later this decade.
Subaru continues to launch new all-electric models, including updated versions of its Solterra and Trailseeker SUVs. The company is also evaluating broader EV strategies amid shifting U.S. policies, such as the removal of federal tax credits for electric vehicles.
The move follows similar efforts in the Japanese industry, including Nissan’s partnership with LiCAP Technologies to develop solid-state battery production processes for mass-market EVs.
