Nissan locks in first solid-state battery-powered EV for 2028

Nissan has confirmed it will launch its first production car powered by its next-generation solid-state battery technology in 2028, following trials of its pioneering new powertrain on the road in real-world conditions by 2026.

Nissan said it first began researching the ground-breaking new battery tech as far back as 2018 and has already shown off its state-of the-art production line to Japanese journalists, which will begin building near production-spec solid-state cells as soon as this year.

Hailed as the holy grail of battery tech over the last six years, solid-state batteries are generally regarded as the final piece of the puzzle that will allow the full transition from combustion to electric cars – and it’s hard not to see why Nissan is excited.

Solid-state cells are said to be at least 50 per cent more energy-dense than traditional cells, making them capable of being charged three times as quickly.

And according to Nissan’s chief planning officer for Oceania, François Bailly, the “game-changing” next-gen power packs are already 50 per cent cheaper to produce, allowing EVs to finally achieve price parity with combustion engines by 2030.

Apart from being far more robust and compact in the absence of liquid electrolyte to cool them, the other huge benefit of solid-state batteries is that there’s said to be a much lower risk of explosion and fire, enabling them to tolerate the higher temperatures associated with ultra-fast charging.

Replacing the electrolyte and separator, solid-state cells use a separator made of ceramic, glass or polymer composites.

While lab tests have proved these advantages, until now car-makers have struggled to ramp up full-scale production of the state-of-the-art battery tech, with several suggesting they remain many years away from being rolled out in significant volume.

While some car-makers including Volkswagen have pushed back their target dates for solid-state battery-powered EV production to beyond 2028, others including BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis are proceeding rapidly with the advanced tech.

But the one dark horse in the EV world that might beat Nissan to solid-state EV production is Toyota. The world’s largest car-maker is hotly tipped to put a small batch of EVs powered by solid-state cells into production as soon as next year.

It's not yet clear which model will be the first Nissan EV powered by solid-state batteries, but Bailly said the tech would be perfect for both its future sports cars and large SUVs.

Nissan has previously suggested its next-generation Navara ute and Patrol large SUV could bring solid-state battery-electric power. And while Australians are still waiting for the Ariya electric SUV, Nissan is already working on its new-generation JUKE, QASHQAI and LEAF electric SUVs.

For everything you auto know about EVs, listen to carsales' Watts Under the Bonnet: the electric car podcast

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au