A test production line enables rapid iteration to identify the materials and processes that can deliver cost-effective, high-volume production for the new cell technology.
Honda revealed on Thursday that it has launched a demonstration production line for solid-state battery cells at its R&D center in Japan. The facility aims to accelerate testing of various factors influencing the final cell design and production, with a focus on material specifications and manufacturing processes.
Not Just for EVs
The solid-state cells are Honda’s proprietary design, the result of years of development. Japan’s largest automaker, Toyota, has also been pursuing similar technology. While solid-state batteries have been hailed for a decade as the future of energy storage, their development has required substantial R&D investments—totaling tens of billions of dollars globally—by dozens of companies over the past decade. Now, the long-awaited breakthrough may be within reach.
Honda plans to utilize its solid-state batteries not only in electric vehicles but also across a wide range of its mobility products, including motorcycles and even aircraft. The company stated that its product engineers are already collaborating with the battery development team to ensure the new batteries are designed with the right structure, materials, and production methods to integrate seamlessly into vehicles currently in development.
The test production line spans approximately 300,000 square feet within Honda’s R&D center in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The facility is equipped to test and validate every step of battery cell production, including:
- Weighing and mixing electrode materials in precise proportions
- Coating rolls of electrode film
- Assembling the anode, cathode, and solid electrolyte into a cell
- Combining cells into modules
Long, Costly Experimenting and Testing
Fabricating and assembling a battery cell—especially the intricate electrode films—can be as complex as manufacturing certain types of silicon computer chips. Out of a dozen promising lab breakthroughs, only a small fraction may advance to testing, and even fewer reach mass production.
Honda highlights that its ability to prototype new materials and processes on a demonstration assembly line will enable rapid iteration on all aspects of cell development. This approach, the company emphasized, is key to producing solid-state cells that are cost-competitive with current lithium-ion alternatives. Achieving cost efficiency faster will allow Honda to scale production more quickly and integrate the cells across a broader range of products.
Notably, Honda’s solid-state cells will be manufactured using techniques similar to the standard production processes for liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion cells. One key innovation is a “roll-processing technique,” which uses denser layers of solid electrolyte. This method enables the continuous rolling and pressing of anode, electrolyte, and cathode layers, streamlining production and reducing costs.
Long, Costly Experimenting and Testing
Producing a battery cell, especially the critical electrode films, is a highly complex process, comparable to manufacturing certain types of silicon computer chips. Of every dozen promising lab innovations, perhaps only one advances to testing, and even fewer make it to mass production.
Honda emphasizes that its demonstration assembly line allows for rapid prototyping of new materials and processes, enabling the company to refine these elements quickly. This capability, Honda notes, is essential for developing solid-state cells that are cost-competitive with current alternatives. Achieving this cost efficiency will accelerate economies of scale and expand the deployment of these batteries across a wider range of products.
The company also highlighted that its solid-state cells will be manufactured using methods similar to standard liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion cell production. A key innovation is its “roll-processing technique,” which incorporates denser layers of solid electrolyte. This method enables the continuous rolling and pressing of anode, electrolyte, and cathode layers, streamlining production and lowering costs.
