Toyota steps ahead in its electrification journey by inaugurating its new battery division, Toyota Battery at Kosai Battery Park (Arai Plant), following the acquisition of Primearth EV Energy (PEVE) as a wholly owned subsidiary in March.
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, in his speech, reflected on the legacy of his grandfather, Sakichi Toyoda, and his vision for energy storage. He recounted Sakichi’s 1925 challenge to create a battery capable of powering an aircraft across the Pacific Ocean, a goal that remains elusive nearly a century later. Toyoda emphasised two key messages from Sakichi’s vision: the transformative potential of batteries and the limitless capacity of human ingenuity.
Toyoda remarked on Japan’s early leadership in lithium-ion battery development and acknowledged the recent rise of Chinese and South Korean companies in the global market. He pointed out that the race for leadership in battery technology is crucial to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Toyota Battery, Toyoda affirmed, would play a vital role in both Toyota's global battery strategy and strengthening Japan’s competitiveness in the sector.
Masamichi Okada, President of Toyota Battery, expressed the company’s gratitude to the city and prefecture for their support in establishing the facility. He highlighted the division’s role in Toyota's electrification strategy, focusing on the production of batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and secondary batteries for fuel cell vehicles. Okada also discussed exploring the potential for batteries to enhance hydrogen-engine vehicles by extending cruising ranges or reducing fuel tank sizes.
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