Honda prepares for solid-state battery production in January 2025 with new demo production line in Japan

Honda has unveiled a demonstration facility in Japan for the production of solid-state batteries in January 2025, which will be used in electrified models introduced in the second half of the 2020s.

The demo facility’s production line located in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture serves to replicate the processes required for mass production of solid-state batteries and has a total floor area of approximately 295,000 square feet.

It is equipped with facilities and equipment that 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 the module.

According to Honda, it is developing solid-state batteries independently and the demo facility will play a vital role in determining the basic specifications of the battery cells for mass production. As solid-state batteries swap out the liquid electrolytes found in current lithium-ion batteries with dry conductive materials, the production process completely different and requires fine-tuning to drive down the cost and amount of time needed to produce them.

The company notes a roll-pressing technique to increase the density of the solid electrolyte layers, a process unique only to the production of all-solid-state batteries, and makes continuous pressing possible. “Moreover, by consolidating and speeding up a series of assembly processes, including the bonding of positive and negative electrodes, Honda will strive to significantly reduce the production time per cell,” it said in its release.

The facility is outfitted with full-scale equipment that is split between three buildings, including for cathode formation and cell assembly, anode formation as well as electrolyte activation and module assembly.

Solid-state batteries hold the promise of higher energy density and longer lifespans, and are viewed as the key to enabling cheaper electric vehicles (EVs) to be brought to market.

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