Automotive prismatic battery study partnership announced

A joint automotive prismatic battery business is planned by Toyota and Panasonic.

The two companies have announced an agreement to study the feasibility of such a business for automotive use.

The aim is to help find solutions to pressing societal issues such as global warming, air pollution, the depletion of natural resources and energy security.

Plus the agreement is intended to address growing demand and expectations for electrified vehicles. Since Toyota and Panasonic began their business relationship in 1953, the two companies have been challenging each other with the goal of mutual improvement, particularly in honing their manufacturing capabilities.

With the business environment undergoing drastic change, both companies have realised the importance of collaborating with trusted partners and looking past conventional boundaries to contribute to the world and creating new value.

Toyota launched the world’s first mass production hybrid vehicle, the Prius, in 1997, and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in 2014.

It’s now working on the development of a full range of environmentally friendly vehicles including hybrids, plug-in hybrid vehicles, FCVs, and EVs that fit customers’ needs.

Panasonic has positioned automotive lithium-ion batteries as one of its key businesses. The company is making efforts to further enhance the safety and capacity of its automotive prismatic batteries.

Both say further advancements in battery performance, price and safety, as well as a stable supply capacity, will encourage EV uptake.