Toyota joins race to try and bring solid-state batteries to mass production
Toyota Motor Company is the latest automaker delving into solid-state battery technology, vowing to mass-produce the safer and more energy dense cells in the next four years. In typical Toyota fashion, the Japanese automaker continues to smell its own farts, declaring that it and its new battery partner Idemitsu already “lead the world” in solid-state battery material development. Slow down there, guys…
Toyota Motor Company, which is hilariously describing itself as on a multi-pathway approach to promoting BEV development, is suddenly touting its solid-state battery development, which has been in the works as far back as 2006.
That’s interesting to hear, given the Japanese automaker’s publicly announced doubt in EV adoption during that time span, although it has recently changed its tune about building BEVs. It’s almost like they peaked outside their of gassy, hybrid-powered bubble and noticed everyone else is going electric. Weird!
In all seriousness, Toyota has taken a Dom Toretto-style drift into BEV development, quickly refocusing its resources and assembly lines to produce a new line of all electric vehicles and… compete with Tesla? Good luck…
Although it’s been off to a rocky start in the EV world, Toyota does remain one of the largest automakers on the planet, and has the resources to accelerate EV production quicker than most of its competitors. Toyota probably should have started in 2006 alongside the solid-state battery research, but hey, better late than never.
Today, the automaker announced a new partnership with fellow Japanese company Idemitsu Kosan to bring viable solid-state batteries to full-scale production by 2027.
Toyota and Idemitsu to develop solid-state batteries
Today’s partnership announcement follows a joint press conference held by both companies in Japan today, which we’ve embedded for you below. Toyota has paired with Idemitsu, whom it says has been performing research and development of solid-state batteries since 2001.
This particular battery collaboration focuses on sulfide solid electrolytes, which Toyota describes as a promising material in offering high capacity and output for future BEVs, thanks to their softness and adhesiveness to other materials.
The new partners state they have already established a task force consisting of dozens… yes dozens of people to help the venture reach mass battery production. That plan of attack will consist of a detailed three-phase plan:
- Phase 1
- Development of sulfide solid electrolytes and preparation for a large pilot facility
- Phase 2
- Mass production using a large pilot facility (rendering seen above)
- Idemitsu will promote sulfide solid electrolyte manufacturing and obtain mass production technology
- Toyota will promote development of both solid-state batteries and BEV development in which the batteries are incorporated, ensuring market launch of BEVs with the technology in 2027-28
- Mass production using a large pilot facility (rendering seen above)
- Phase 3
- Study of future full-scale mass production
Toyota states that Idemistu is currently increasing the capacity of its small pilot facility and is moving forward with construction of a large pilot facility that will eventually enable commercialization of the solid-state batteries in 2027.
You can learn more about Toyota’s plan of attack to commercialize solid-state batteries in the full hour-and-45-minute presentation below:
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Kia is extending one of its biggest promotions yet, knocking over $10,000 off every EV in its lineup.
Kia knocks $10,000 off EV models
Who said electric vehicles would get more expensive after the $7,500 federal tax credit ended? Kia must not have gotten the memo.
Last month, Kia launched a new promotion, offering a $10,000 customer cash discount for all EVs, including the EV6, EV9, and Niro EV. The discount knocks nearly 25% off MSRP on Kia’s cheapest model, the Niro EV. On the entry-level EV6, it’s 23% off MSRP, while $10,000 off the EV9 is about an 18% discount.
The discounts ended on December 1, but Kia has extended them for at least another month. During its Season of New Tradition sales event, Kia is now offering even more savings.
The 2025 Kia EV6 and Niro EV are now eligible for up to $11,000 in customer cash, including a $10,000 cash back offer and a $1,000 retail bonus cash discount.
If you’re looking for something a little bigger, the 2026 EV9, Kia’s three-row electric SUV, is available with up to $10,500 in bonus cash.
If you choose to finance, Kia is offering 0% APR for up to 72 months, plus $3,500 APR Bonus Cash on the EV6 and Niro EV. The larger EV9 is available with 0% APR for up to 60 months with a $3,000 APR Bonus Cash offer.
The 2025 Kia Niro EV and EV6 are available to lease, starting at $209 and $309 per month for 24 months. The 2026 EV9 is listed with monthly leases starting at $419.
The new sales event comes after Hyundai extended its EV promotions, keeping the IONIQ 5 as one of the most affordable EV leases in the US, starting at just $189 per month.
Kia’s Seasons of New Traditions sales event runs until January 2, 2026. Some deals may vary by region. You can see offers near you by using the links at the bottom.
Interested in test-driving one for yourself? We can help see what’s available in your area. Check out our links below to find Kia and Hyundai EVs near you.
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New Holland’s already excellent C314 mini track loader is even better for 2026 thanks to the debut of a new, all electric version that offers quiet, low maintenance, and emission-free running for round-the-clock operation.
State and federal governments may still be hashing out emissions laws and ZEV requirements, but it’s the municipal governments that write quiet our laws and noise ordinances, and it’s those laws that construction crews are struggling to work around as they bid for lucrative urban jobs. New Holland understands those construction customers’ needs, and its new C314X Electric mini track loader (announced at last month’s Agritechnica) is designed specifically for them.
“We launched the C314 two years ago, and it has become known for its excellent features,” says Francesca Asteggiano, Europe Construction Brands. “Today, we’re developing an electric version to meet growing demand for quieter, more compact machines — reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and innovation.”
C314X Electric
New Holland’s C314X Electric is designed and built in-house as the zero-emission evolution of the diesel-powered C314, and is powered by a 23.5 kWh li-ion battery that sends power to three electric motors — two drive motors and a single hydraulic motor for the boom.
The company says the new C314X has a rated operating capacity that matches the diesel unit at 460 kg (~1014 lbs.) and a hinge pin height of 2.2 m (~7.2 ft.).
Though still “just a prototype” at this point, CASE and New Holland products have a history of making it to production. If when it does, company reps say it will be available in two undercarriage configurations, a “narrow track” version 890 mm wide that can fit through garden gates and man doors, and wide track version 1026 mm wide for heavier duty outdoor and agricultural work.
The stand-on machine uses controls that will be familiar to any mini loader operator — especially those with experience behind the controls of the diesel C314 — and all the implements and attachments that work on the diesel version bolt up to the C314X Electric, making it ideal (the company says) for livestock and horticultural farmers, landscape contractors and residential construction operations, thanks to multiple compatible attachments to ensure full versatility to dig, load, drill, and more.
Stay tuned for pricing and availability, likely set to be announced during ConExpo 2026.
SOURCE | IMAGES: New Holland.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss Tesla allowing texting and driving on FSD v14, Trump killing CAFE’s MPG standard, an Aptera update, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
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