Nissan targets 2028 mass production of an EV with solid-state batteries

Nissan wants to begin mass production of an electric vehicle using solid-state batteries as early as 2028. If everything goes to plan, the pack could deliver twice the energy density and accept three times the charging power.

Speaking to Autocar in the UK, David Moss, Nissan Europe’s Vice President for Research and Development (R&D), said the Japanese manufacturer expects to have a pilot plant up and running in 2025.

Nissan’s solid-state battery timeline (2025–2028)

Moss also points to 2026 as the year Nissan expects to complete all development work on the battery cells. Even so, the current engineering team-working with scientists from the University of Oxford-has already made significant progress, moving from small button-sized cells to cells measuring 10 square metres.

Even so, all signs suggest the final cells will be closer in size to those found in a laptop computer.

Twice the density and triple the charging power

Also speaking to Autocar, Moss discussed the potential of this technology and sounded highly confident: “We want to reduce the cost (compared with lithium-ion batteries) by 50%, double the density and triple the charging speed”.

On the charging point, Moss referenced an upper limit of around 400 kW, which is indeed roughly three times what, for example, the Nissan Ariya offers (130 kW). However, today’s market peak is 500 kW for the Rimac Nevera and 1000 kW for the Tesla Semi (the Tesla Cybertruck will support the same power, according to Elon Musk).

According to Moss, unlike today’s lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries should sustain charging rates more consistently and closer to the maximum supported capability.

What higher energy density could mean for range and pack size

In parallel, with twice the energy density being claimed, this type of battery could provide double the energy (in other words, range…) for the same volume and weight as a current battery, meaning packs could theoretically be smaller overall.

On that front, Moss expects Nissan could offer two solid-state battery sizes: a smaller option and a “larger one for users who need a huge range”.

As for which model might receive the technology, it appears it would be built on an entirely new platform: “When you commit to something like solid-state, you have to change the whole mechanism and the entire vehicle architecture”, Moss added.

Source: Autocar