Panasonic Holdings Corp. has confirmed plans to introduce sample solid-state batteries during the fiscal year ending March 2027.
The move highlights the Japanese company’s ambition to secure a foothold in the next-generation energy storage market.
While much of the industry is focused on using solid-state batteries for electric vehicles, Panasonic is initially directing its technology towards industrial robots, tyre pressure monitoring systems, and equipment designed to withstand high temperatures.
The development comes as global competition intensifies, with automakers and electronics firms vying to lead in battery technologies that promise higher safety and longer lifespans than traditional lithium-ion cells.
Panasonic shifts focus to small solid-state batteries
Panasonic’s chief technology officer, Soichiro Watanabe, explained that the company’s initial focus will be on smaller solid-state cells that are better suited to extreme temperature environments rather than immediate EV applications.
The Osaka-based electronics maker is using its long-standing experience in producing lithium-ion batteries, including those for electric vehicles, to improve the safety and energy density of solid-state alternatives.
Unlike lithium-ion batteries, solid-state technology eliminates liquid electrolytes, reducing the risk of combustion and leakage.
The company is competing directly with TDK Corp., a leader in the small-battery market.
By prioritising industrial and robotics applications, Panasonic is positioning itself to capture demand in areas where reliability and safety under high heat are critical.
These applications allow the company to commercialise the technology sooner than mass-market EV deployment, where scaling up remains a challenge.
Competition intensifies with Toyota, Nissan, and Honda
While Panasonic is targeting smaller systems, automakers are racing to bring solid-state technology to electric vehicles.
Toyota Motor Corp. and Idemitsu Kosan Co. announced plans to begin installing their jointly developed solid-state batteries in EVs between 2027 and 2028.
Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. have also disclosed their own projects aimed at commercialising the technology in the second half of this decade.
This timeline places Panasonic in parallel with major automakers, though its applications are distinct.
The company aims to leverage its expertise in EV battery production while simultaneously expanding into niche but high-value industrial markets.
Such diversification may provide Panasonic with a dual advantage—an early start in robotics and a pathway to eventual automotive deployment as the technology matures.
Market for next-generation batteries
Solid-state batteries are widely regarded as a key breakthrough for the energy sector. They are designed to deliver higher energy density, faster charging, and improved safety compared to conventional lithium-ion models.
The absence of liquid electrolytes reduces the chance of overheating, which has been a persistent issue with existing battery technology.
Analysts see mass production of solid-state batteries as one of the most important milestones for industries ranging from electric vehicles to consumer electronics.
Panasonic’s announcement underscores Japan’s broader push to secure a competitive edge in advanced battery technology.
With Toyota, Nissan, and Honda progressing in automotive-focused research, and Panasonic setting its sights on industrial applications, Japan’s electronics and auto sectors are aligning on parallel paths toward the commercialisation of solid-state systems.
This simultaneous approach highlights the country’s strategy to diversify its technological bets across different markets while maintaining global leadership.
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