Nissan Hits Solid-State Battery Breakthrough With Prototype Cells

Nissan has successfully developed prototype solid-state battery cells that fulfil the company's performance benchmarks for market introduction, according to a report by Japanese newspaper Nikkei. The OEM now faces the challenge of stabilising results and scaling up production capabilities.

While the Nikkei report does not disclose precise performance specifications for the cells, the report indicates double the energy storage capacity per unit of volume compared with current generation technology, translating to doubled vehicle range and superior charging power.

Commercial Rollout Timeline

Nissan is broadly anticipated to commercialise solid-state batteries during the 2028 fiscal year (1st April 2028-31st March 2029). This timeline corresponds with Nissan's roadmap published in spring 2024, which scheduled series production commencement for 2029. Pre-series units were planned to emerge from a pilot line in Yokohama from 2025. That pilot facility has been operational since January. The prototypes referenced in the report are likely amongst these initial solid-state cells.

The company officially announced in spring 2024 that, from the 2028 fiscal year, 100 workers per shift would operate in Yokohama to increase production to 100 MWh annually. 

Nissan also stated at the time that it plans to use solid-state batteries in "a variety of vehicle segments, including pickups, to make its electric vehicles more competitive."

Strategic Importance for Japanese Battery Industry

Research on solid-state batteries carries substantial significance in Japan. The technology is viewed as a transformational advancement and a guarantee of future competitiveness in the battery sector, where traditionally dominant Japanese manufacturers have lost ground in recent years. Alongside Toyota and Honda, Nissan has been developing solid electrolyte cell technology for several years.

When the Yokohama pilot line was announced in 2022, it was scheduled to commence in 2024, with series production beginning in 2028 -- in both instances, the timeline appears to have shifted by approximately one year.

American Partnership 

In August 2025, Nissan introduced production specialist LiCAP as a partner for innovative dry electrode manufacturing processes, intended to enable large-scale production of solid-state batteries. Nikkei cites the US partner's technology as decisive in allowing Nissan to meet its performance targets with the latest prototype cells.

However, significant work remains: "LiCAP has only limited experience with large-scale production lines," Nikkei reported. Commercialisation will require the ability to produce high-quality electrodes quickly and reliably.

Aggressive Pricing Strategy

Nikkei also reports that Nissan aims for a price of just $75 per kilowatt hour for its solid-state batteries, around 30 per cent below the global average battery pack price in 2024.

This ambitious pricing strategy could prove transformative for electric vehicle affordability and market penetration, potentially positioning Nissan as a leader in next-generation battery technology whilst restoring Japanese competitiveness in the global battery manufacturing landscape.