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Toyota confirmed plans to launch solid-state EV batteries with 10-minute fast charging and up to 750 miles (1,200 km) WLTP range to close the gap with Tesla. However, with the new EV battery tech still a few years out, Toyota could fall further behind.

Toyota has been teasing solid-state EV battery tech for several years now. After discovering a “technological breakthrough” in June, Toyota said it was accelerating development.

In October, Toyota and Japanese oil giant Idemitsu Kosan announced they would develop and build solid-state EV batteries. The batteries are expected to begin rolling out in 2027, with mass production following.

Vikram Gulati, head of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, confirmed the plans at an investment summit in India. “We will be rolling out our electric vehicles with solid-state batteries in a couple of years from now.”

It will power “a vehicle which will be charging in 10 minutes, giving a range of 1,200 km (750 miles),” Gulati said. According to Toyota’s India boss, the battery will also have a “very good” life expectancy.

The move comes as India looks to become a global force in the transition to EVs. Electric cars made up about 2% of overall vehicle sales in India last year, but the nation aims to reach 30% by 2030. Annual EV sales could hit 10 million by the end of the decade, according to India’s road transport minister.

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Toyota three-row electric SUV concept (Source: Toyota)

Toyota plots solid-state EV battery roadmap

The company claims its new tech will offer 10-minute fast charging and significantly more range.

Two versions are expected: one offering 621 miles (1,000 km) WLTP range and a further evolution that features 750 miles range (1,200 km).

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Toyota EV battery roadmap (Source: Toyota)

Although Toyota claims its solid-state batteries could be a “potential game-changer for BEVs,” they are not expected to launch until 2027 (at the earliest).

It’s aiming to begin rolling out the new battery tech in 2027 and 2028. Despite this, in a recent Toyota Times post, the company said mass production is expected “for 2030 and beyond.”

Ahead of its solid-state batteries, Toyota plans to launch other next-gen EV battery tech. In 2026, Toyota aims to launch a Performance lithium-ion battery that offers 20% more range (~500 mi) than its current bZ4X with 20-minute fast charging.

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2024 Toyota bZ4X XLE FWD (Source: Toyota)

A Popularisation battery is due out the following year. The lithium iron phosphate battery is designed to lower costs by around 40% compared to the bZ4X. Toyota revealed the 2024 bZ4X will start at $43,070 with up to 252 miles EPA range in the US.

By 2030, Toyota aims to sell around 3.5 million EVs, or around a third of global sales. Toyota plans to launch ten new electric models as it looks to catch up to Tesla and BYD.

Electrek’s Take

Although Toyota is (again) promising its solid-state EV battery will improve range and charging while lowering costs, we’ve heard this story several times before.

Toyota’s first solid-state battery-powered EV was due out in 2021, then it was in 2022. We still have yet to see the technology, and it’s already 2024. Now, Toyota plans to introduce them in 2027/2028, with mass production coming after 2030.

By then, several companies will have already rolled out the tech. Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan, BMW, and others are also working to release solid-state battery tech.

VW’s PowerCo battery unit recently said QuantumScape’s solid-state battery could drive 500,000 km (311,000 miles) with almost no range loss.

Source: Reuters

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Puerto Rico just got $1.2B in DOE financing to boost its grid with solar + storage

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Puerto Rico just got .2B in DOE financing to boost its grid with solar + storage

The US Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $1.2 billion in financing to replace Puerto Rico’s fossil fuel plants with solar and battery storage through 2032.

The DOE’s Loan Programs Office announced two conditional commitments and one loan closing to power producers in Puerto Rico. Each supports a project contracted with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. The announcements include:

  • The closing of a $584.5 million loan guarantee to subsidiaries of Convergent Energy to finance a 100 MW solar farm with a 55 MW (55 MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) in the municipality of Coamo and BESS installations in the municipalities of Caguas (25MW/100MWh), Peñuelas (100MW/400MWh), and Ponce (up to 100MW/400MWh)
  • A conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $133.6 million to a subsidiary of Infinigen for a 32.1 MW solar farm with an integrated 14.45 MW (4.76 MWh) BESS, and a co-located standalone 50 MW (200 MWh) BESS expansion in the municipality of Yabucoa
  • A conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $489.4 million to a subsidiary of Pattern Energy for three stand-alone BESS in the municipalities of Arecibo (50 MW/200 MWh), and Santa Isabel (50 MW /200 MWh and 80 MW/320 MW), and a 70 MW solar farm with an integrated BESS in the municipality of Arecibo.

If all are finalized, these projects would more than double LPO’s support for utility-scale solar generation and battery energy storage in Puerto Rico.

LPO provides low-cost financing and a rigorous due diligence process, making it a valuable resource for Puerto Rico as it works to rebuild an affordable, reliable, and clean energy system. As a result of reliance on imported fuel, the persistent threat of tropical storms, and underinvested infrastructure, Puerto Ricans today face average energy costs that are twice the US average – all while consuming only one-quarter of the energy of the US per capita.

LPO’s initial loan to a power producer in Puerto Rico, Project Marahu, closed in October 2024, and when complete will add more than 200 MW of solar and up to 285 MW of stand-alone energy storage to Puerto Rico’s grid.

Through its September 2023 partial loan guarantee to Project Hestia, LPO also supports virtual power plant (VPP)-ready rooftop solar and battery storage installations in Puerto Rico. As a nationwide project, Hestia’s sponsor is committed to at least 20% of installations under Project Hestia going to homeowners in Puerto Rico.

As part of its procurement plan, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority seeks to install 1,500 MW of battery storage and requires a minimum capacity of storage to be co-located with each utility-scale solar project. Energy storage systems currently online in Puerto Rico are being dispatched every day.

When including Marahu, LPO’s closed and conditionally committed financing supports over 100% of the capacity Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority aimed to procure under its initial request for energy storage project proposals, the first of six.

Read more: Cleantech investments to top fossil fuels for the first time in 2025


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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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Chevy launches sweet new Equinox and Blazer EV deals that can slash prices by $5,000

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Chevy launches sweet new Equinox and Blazer EV deals that can slash prices by ,000

Chevy just introduced new deals on the Equinox and Blazer EV models to make them even more affordable. With 0% interest and a new trade-in bonus, Chevy is offering over $5,000 in savings.

Chevy adds new Equinox and Blazer EV deals in January

Although the Chevy Equinox EV is already “the most affordable” EV in its class with over 315 miles range, it’s getting even cheaper.

Earlier this week, Chevy launched new deals on the 2024 Equinox and Blazer EV models. According to a note sent to dealers, viewed by CarsDirect, the electric SUVs are now available with 0% APR financing for 60 months. You can also choose from 0.9% AP for 72 months and 2.9% APR for 84 months.

This marks the best financing offer on Chevy’s newest EVs to date. The previous best rates were 0.9% APR for 60 months, 3.9% for 72 months, and 5.9% for the longer 84-month option.

On a 7-year $45,000 loan, online auto research firm CarsDirect estimates the new deals amount to around a $5,200 price cut. The lower APR rates are already offered on the Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup.

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2024 Chevy Blazer EV RS (Source: GM)

In addition, Chevy is offering a trade-in bonus of up to $3,000 on the Silverado EV and $1,000 on the electric Equinox and Blazer models. If you choose to lease, the bonus is cut in half: $1,500 for the Silverado and $500 for the electric SUVs.

Chevy’s new EV deals started on January 14 and run through March 3, 2025. The deals come as rivals like Hyundai and Ford recently launched new EV promotions.

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2024 Chevy Equinox EV LT (Source: GM)

On Thursday, Hyundai launched a new promo on the upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5, which includes monthly leases as low as $199 and a free ChargePoint home EV charger (or $400 charging credit). Meanwhile, Ford extended its “Power Promise” program earlier this month, which also includes a free home charger, among several other benefits.

The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV started at $41,900 with up to 315 miles range. Prices for the electric Chevy Blazer start at $43,690 with up to 279 miles range.

If you are ready to try out Chevy’s new electric SUVs for yourself, we’ve got you covered. You can use our links below to view offers on the Chevy Equinox, Silverado, and Blazer EV models near you.

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Podcast: non-Tesla EV Supercharger access, Cybertruck sales, Rivian $$$, and more

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Podcast: non-Tesla EV Supercharger access, Cybertruck sales, Rivian $$$, and more

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 non-Tesla EVs getting Supercharger access, Cybertruck sales in the spotlight, Rivian getting some money from Biden, and more.

The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.

As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.

After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:

We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.

Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:

Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET):

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