Japan's fight back against China: Honda prepares for new solid-state battery tech battle, with Nissan and Toyota already on the path to volume production as MG, Chery and GWM lead the race

Honda has unveiled a demonstration production line for solid-state batteries as a prelude to a full-scale assault on the new technology.

With Chinese makers including SAIC, Chery, GWM and others seemingly well down the path towards mass production, Honda has shown off a demonstration production line housed within its main R&D facility in Sakura City (Tochigi), Japan.

According to Honda, “While conducting technical verification to establish a mass production process on this demonstration line, (it) will determine the basic specifications of the battery cells, with an aim to begin applying its all-solid-state batteries to electrified models that will be introduced to market in the second half of the 2020s.”

Covering a total floor area of approximately 27,400 square metres, the facility will enable verification of each production process, including weighing and mixing of electrode materials, coating and roll pressing of electrode assembly and the formation of cells, and assembly of modules.

Honda is planning to begin battery production (on this demo line) in January 2025 using a roll-pressing technique which will “contribute to an increase in the density of the solid electrolyte layers”.

Honda battery factory

The resulting increase in “interfacial contact” between the electrolyte and the electrodes is claimed to increase efficiency and accelerate the assembly process, with Honda intending to apply the technology to its cars, motorcycles and aircraft.

Honda is also aiming to lower the cost of the batteries by simplifying the cooling structure, “taking advantage of high heat resistance and realising highly efficient production processes”.

Honda battery factory

Honda R&D President and Representative Director Keiji Otsu said, “We believe that advancement of batteries will be a driving force in the transformation of Honda.

“Now, the start of operation of our demonstration production line for our all-solid-state batteries is in sight, and we can say that we have reached an important milestone for Honda and the country of Japan,” he said.

Honda battery factory

And Honda is not alone in its pursuit of solid-state battery nirvana. Toyota went on the record in 2023, saying, “We are currently developing a method for mass production, striving for commercialisation in 2027-2028."

At the same time, Nissan has been focused on solid-state battery development since 2018 and says it will start testing in 2026, with volume production scheduled for 2028.