Toyota, Mazda, Subaru and Nissan have announced major investments in the production of new-generation batteries for electric cars. Supported by subsidies from the Japanese government. Who knows if one day the EU will have something to say about Japanese state aid to manufacturers: who knows if he will put extra duties like he did with China. The manufacturers of the Rising Sun are stepping up their programs for next-generation electric vehicles. With radical plans, including the production of solid-state batteries. While Japan Inc. races to catch up with the world leaders in electric vehicles. Objective: to protect itself if political decision-makers insist on the full electric line following the EU idea. It is necessary to be independent from the Chinese CATL, BYD, SAIC (MG) and other battery giants of the Dragon. Overtake them if possible.
Japanese Poker
The four automakers and Japanese battery giant Panasonic Corp. have listed a series of battery advances, investments and achievements, Automotive News says. The combined plans amount to an additional domestic battery production volume of about 36.6 gigawatt hours across the four companies through the end of the decade. Japan Inc.’s total investment will amount to more than 944.6 billion yen (€5.983 billion). The plans cover a range of new technologiesfrom cylindrical lithium-ion batteries for Subaru and Mazda to solid-state batteries for Toyota and lithium-iron-phosphate battery packs for Nissan. Japanese government aid of about 326.0 billion yen. The support from the powerful Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) reflects the Tokyo government’s concern that Japanese automakers, the backbone of the country’s economy, are falling behind rivals in South Korea, China and elsewhere. “We expect the battery storage supply chain and the competitiveness of the battery storage industry to be strengthened,” METI Minister Ken Saito said of the spending. So, a Japan version of electric radididigo, to challenge China.
Solid Toyota
Toyota has received METI approval to develop and produce two new types of batteries that are key to its electric vehicle development plans from 2026. They include a new generation lithium ion battery high performance and a completely solid-state battery.
The company expects a combined annual volume of 9 GWh. The high-performance lithium-ion batteries will be produced by two Toyota battery subsidiaries: Prime Planet Energy & Solutions Inc. (PPES); Primearth EV Energy Co. (PEVE). PPES is 51 percent owned by Toyota and 49 percent by Panasonic Holdings. PEVE is owned by Toyota and will be renamed Toyota Battery Co. effective October 1. Target, in-house development and production of solid-state batteries, which are planned for 2027-2028. Total investment of 245.0 billion yen, including a maximum subsidy of 86.5 billion yen.
The House has sold only 104,018 BEVs worldwide last year, up from 24,466 in 2022. Tesla, by contrast, shipped 1.8 million vehicles globally last year. But the Japanese automaker is aiming for 1.5 million BEVs globally in 2026, and 3.5 million annually in 2030.
All Nissan
Nissan has received METI approval to develop and mass produce lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, a chemistry seen as reducing production costs and improving safety. To be installed in mini-veicoli electric around 2028. The production volume was set at 5 GWh per year, with a total investment of 153.3 billion yen including a subsidy of 55.7 billion.
Subaru con Panasonic
Subaru and Panasonic will build a new battery factory near the automaker’s Japanese production center north of Tokyo in Gunma Prefecture. It will churn out cylindrical lithium-ion batteries for Subaru. The new plant will have a capacity of approximately 16 GWh per yearin addition to 4 GWh from Panasonic’s other plant, in Suminoe, Osaka Prefecture. Investment 463.0 billion yen, with a subsidy of up to 156.4 billion yen. Mazda will also work with Panasonic to source next-generation cylindrical batteries from the supplier’s plants in Suminoe and Kaizuka, both in Osaka, starting in 2027: additional volume of 6.5 GWh annually by 2030, Investment 83.3 billion yen with a maximum subsidy of 28.3 billion yen.
Yesterday’s intention to stay in the electric business was clear, if the sales began to rise around the world. Maybe from 2030 in the C segment, with EVs dominant.
Topic: Electric Cars