Toyota and Ilika SS batteries ?29 Dec 2014 23:16
Getting solid also means the battery will be more compact and stable, being able to be packed more efficient and offer higher levels of power for the same or even smaller amounts of mass.
For example, Toyota’s current solid-state battery has a power-density of around 400 Wh/l (watt-hour per liter), 100 more than lithium-ion counterparts. And that’s about to change, because the automaker wants to increase the numbers up to around 600 - 700 Wh/l by 2025.
Toyota battery research division general manager Hideki Iba said the first production units will offer a driving range of at least 300 miles (500 km) per charge for an average passenger car.
It’s a bit short compared with the 600-mile (1,000 km) envisioned range to really pose an advantage compared to modern gasoline vehicles, but don’t forget these solid-state batteries could be offered in hybrid vehicles to offer the best of two worlds.
This is just the tip
Remember the lithium air batteries? Toyota is said to be working on those too. A battery pack of that type should provide an energy density of around 1,000 Wh/l. The only downside is that the power on tap will be equal with solid-state batteries (don't mistake power density with the actual power that turns the motor).
As a quick reminder, lithium air cells, use a cathode that interacts with oxygen, which requires less materials and allows for even lighter packaging.