Toyota and Panasonic to start feasibility study on forming joint automotive prismatic battery business; studying solid-state batteries also
13 December 2017
Toyota Motor Corporation and Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic) have agreed to begin studying the feasibility of creating a joint business focused specifically on high-capacity prismatic batteries for automotive applications. Panasonic is notably already a parter with Tesla and its Gigafactory, making cylindrical cells.
This agreement is intended to address growing demand and expectations for electrified vehicles. In order to realize these objectives, Toyota and Panasonic will target further advancements in automotive batteries—such as solid-state batteries.
If we look at the future, where do we see growth? Which car manufacturers will play a major role? What types of batteries will they require?
—Kazuhiro Tsuga, President of Panasonic
Since Toyota and Panasonic began their business relationship in 1953, the two companies have been challenging each other with the goal of mutual improvement, particularly in honing their manufacturing capabilities (monozukuri). With the business environment undergoing drastic change, both companies say they have realized the importance of collaborating with trusted partners and looking past conventional boundaries to contribute to the world through monozukuri and creating new value.
Through activities such as launching the Prius, the world’s first mass production hybrid vehicle (HV), in 1997, and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in 2014, Toyota has a record of taking on difficult challenges with varying degrees of success in its effort to realize a sustainable mobility society.
Leveraging the know-how and experience accumulated through the continuous refinement and commercialization of its electrification technologies, Toyota is working on the development of a full range of environmentally friendly vehicles including HVs, PHVs (plug-in hybrid vehicles), FCVs, and EVs (electric vehicles).
Panasonic has positioned automotive lithium-ion batteries as one of its key businesses, and its automotive batteries are used by many automakers worldwide. Panasonic’s technological capabilities which achieve various requirements for such batteries are well regarded in the market. The company is making efforts to further enhance the safety and capacity of its automotive prismatic batteries, making use of its accumulated technological knowledge in the battery business.
Toyota and Panasonic recognize the importance that further advancements in battery performance, price and safety, as well as a stable supply capacity, will have on encouraging further popularization of electrified vehicles. Both companies will consider details of the collaboration with the aim of achieving the best automotive prismatic battery in the industry and, ultimately, contributing to the popularization of Toyota’s and other automakers’ electrified vehicles.
I find this announcement a bit confusing, as I had understood that Toyota were moving the production of lithium batteries to their almost wholly owned subsidiary, Primearth, who already produce their NiMH packs.
Anyone got more info on what is going on?
Posted by: Davemart | 13 December 2017 at 12:29 AM
As far as I understand, the first new battery packs were always made by Panasonic and after couple of years they are then mass produced by PrimeEarth. Prius Prime battery is still made by Panasonic.
PrimeEarth was also a joint venture with Panasonic having 60% share, but with Panasonic purchasing Sanyo, they rather sold their stake, because they had too big share of world NiMh production (anti-trust problems).
Now they are basically doing the same joint venture all over again, with focus on next generation safer, high-capacity prismatic batteries.
Posted by: GasperG | 13 December 2017 at 03:41 AM
So their revolutionary solid state efforts are going so well they are now looking into prismatic cells? Or are they going to surprise us with the first solid state prismatic?
Has anyone called HarveyD to see if he is ok? Two days and no posts..... I’m beginning to think something dreadful has happened.
Posted by: Gasbag | 13 December 2017 at 07:59 AM
This will be an important continuation of EV battery long term collaboration between Toyota and Panasonic.
This could lead to the first mass produced affordable solid states superior EV batteries for near future extended range BEVs.
Will it be for the upgraded 500 Km Prius SS/500 or SSE/500 by 2020 or so?
How much of that new technology will be transferred to TELSA/Panasonic mega factories in USA-Asia-EU?
Posted by: HarveyD | 13 December 2017 at 10:17 AM
Yes Gasbag.
I were disabled to unconsciousness with a severe case of viral gastroenteritis, with very high fever and all other symptoms. I had to be transported to the Emergency Room at the local University Hospital where I were very well treated for 2 1/2 days.
Thanks to our excellent Coast to Coast Canadian Health Care system, everything was done at no charge, including professional ambulance services, dedicated medical diagnostics, lab tests, X-rays, Scans, prescriptions, medication & supplies etc. I'll go back on Friday for a follow-up check.
It will not stop me from supporting the use BEVs and FCEVs to reduce pollution and GHGs.
Posted by: HarveyD | 13 December 2017 at 10:54 AM
Bravo! I’m very glad to hear you’re doing better. Whenever I hear from Canadians about their healthcare they always praise it. When I hear from Americans about their impressions of Canadian healthcare they almost always are negative. It seems there is a big disconnect.
Posted by: Gasbag | 13 December 2017 at 11:44 PM
The cost of high quality health care is rising at the rate of 4% to 6%/year. Three main factors are driving those above average raises; (1) doctors much higher pay and (2) the high cost of new and refurbished facilities and equipment and (3) we are all getting older (close to 85) and more costly to keep in relatively good health.
About 50% of the total Provincial budgets go to health care. However, the total (around 12% of Canadian GNP) is still much below the USA's cost of over 18% of American GNP.
The Federal helps with about 16% to 18% of the total cost instead of 50% when the program started.
Posted by: HarveyD | 14 December 2017 at 08:39 AM
Health care costs started to rise rapidly after Nixon made hospitals for profit and Reagan took away all of the grants for non profit.
Posted by: SJC | 27 December 2017 at 10:48 AM