Toyota has been working on the launch of solid-state battery electric cars for many years, and now an important step forward is taking place as partner Idemitsu Kosan announces the construction of a facility to produce solid electrolyte for solid-state batteries.

Energy company Idemitsu Kosan is a Japanese oil giant, but since the mid-1990s, it has been researching materials for solid-state batteries and began cooperation with Toyota in 2023. The plant under construction will have an annual capacity of several hundred tons of solid electrolyte and is expected to be fully completed by the end of next year. Idemitsu Kosan announced that sulfur, which is a by-product of the company’s refineries, is being used to produce a solid electrolyte.

In China, the car manufacturer Chery announced the construction of a factory for solid-state batteries, and the first models with those batteries are planned for this year. Volkswagen has been collaborating with QuantumScape on development for a long time. Mercedes collaborates with the company Factorial and last year installed a solid battery with its own cells in the EQS. The test drivers covered more than 1,200 km from Stuttgart to Malmö without stopping to refuel.

• Also See: New Mid-Engine Sports Car Has Been Confirmed By Toyota