---
title: "Honda Jumps on the Solid-State Battery Bandwagon"
description: "Solid-state batteries are getting more attention from automakers."
date: "2017-12-21"
modified: "2017-12-21"
authors:
  - name: "Stephen Edelstein"
    job_title: "Weekend Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/stephen-edelstein"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/tech/17143/honda-jumps-on-the-solid-state-battery-bandwagon"
categories:
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Honda News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Electric Cars"
  - "EV Batteries"
  - "honda"
  - "solid state"
  - "Tech"
---

# Honda Jumps on the Solid-State Battery Bandwagon

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/12/01___2017_honda_clarity_electric.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Honda is investigating solid-state batteries for electric cars, joining a growing number of automakers researching this new battery technology. The Japanese automaker is a strong proponent [of hydrogen fuel cells](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/9187/2018-honda-clarity-burns-hydrogen-not-rubber-in-new-york>) but, [like rival Toyota](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/16943/toyota-and-panasonic-consider-teaming-up-on-electric-car-batteries>), it may be hedging its bets with batteries.

"We've been researching all solid-state batteries," Honda spokesperson Teruhiko Tatebe told [*Reuters*](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-honda-nissan/honda-considers-developing-all-solid-state-ev-batteries-idUSKBN1EF0FM>). While *Kyodo News* reported that Honda was teaming up with Nissan on battery development, Tatebe said Honda is not working with any other automaker at this time.

Solid-state batteries differ from the lithium-ion batteries used in most electric cars today by using a solid electrolyte (hence the name) instead of a liquid one. This supposedly allows greater energy density, meaning a battery can store more energy in a given volume. Unlike the liquid electrolyte [in lithium-ion batteries](<https://www.thedrive.com/watch-this/15267/watch-firefighters-battle-a-blazing-tesla-model-s>), the solid-state electrolyte also isn't flammable.

While no company has managed to commercialize solid-state batteries so far, they have received a lot of attention. Just this week, [BMW and Colorado-based Solid Power](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/17050/bmw-partners-with-us-based-company-to-develop-solid-state-batteries-for-evs>) announced a partnership to research solid-state batteries. [Toyota](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/12826/toyota-planning-long-range-electric-car-powered-by-solid-state-batteries-report-says>) has said it plans to use solid-state batteries in an upcoming production electric car, and [Fisker](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/16037/fisker-claims-new-solid-state-battery-patents-could-lead-to-500-mile-ev-range-1-minute-charge-times>) plans to do the same. British vacuum-cleaner maker Dyson bought solid-state battery startup Sakti3 in 2015 and plans to spend $2.7 billion [to build electric cars by 2020](<https://www.thedrive.com/tech/14649/vacuum-cleaner-maker-dyson-announces-2-7-billion-plan-to-build-electric-cars-by-2020>).

Honda will need good batteries. It expects electrified vehicles to make up two-thirds of its global sales by 2030. In the nearer term, a new hybrid [reviving the Insight name](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/17095/honda-will-unveil-an-all-new-insight-prototype-in-detroit>) will go on sale next year, and a production version of the retro-chic [Urban EV concept](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/14263/retro-look-honda-urban-ev-city-car-concept-unveiled>) will hit European showrooms in 2019. Stricter emissions standards are likely behind Honda's push for more hybrids and electric cars.

## Author
Stephen has always been passionate about cars, and managed to turn that passion into a career as a freelance automotive journalist. When he's not handling weekend coverage for The Drive, you can find him looking for a new book to read.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/SAEdelstein>)