TOYOTA CITY, Japan — Toyota has confirmed that its long-awaited solid-state battery technology will enter mass production in 2028, delivering electric vehicles with ranges exceeding 900 miles (1,450 kilometers) on a single charge and recharging times of just 10 minutes from 10% to 80% capacity. The announcement marks the most concrete timeline yet from an automaker for commercializing solid-state batteries, which use a solid electrolyte instead of the liquid electrolyte in conventional lithium-ion cells.

Toyota's breakthrough centers on a sulfide-based solid electrolyte that achieves ionic conductivity comparable to liquid electrolytes while eliminating the risk of thermal runaway — the chemical chain reaction that can cause lithium-ion batteries to catch fire. The solid-state design also enables a 50% increase in energy density by weight, meaning a battery pack that currently weighs 1,000 pounds and delivers 300 miles of range could be replaced with a 700-pound pack delivering 900 miles.

The first Toyota vehicle to feature the solid-state battery will be a next-generation electric SUV built on a dedicated EV platform. Toyota plans to produce 50,000 solid-state-equipped vehicles in 2028, scaling to 500,000 annually by 2030. The announcement sent shares of lithium-ion battery manufacturers tumbling while boosting Toyota's stock by 11% in Tokyo trading.