Toyota is advancing its research into fluoride-ion battery technology, a next-generation energy storage system that the automaker began investigating in 2020. The company has partnered with Johns Hopkins University and its own research institute to accelerate development of the technology, which promises substantially greater energy density—up to seven times higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries—along with improved safety and lower costs.
The core advantage of fluoride-ion batteries lies in their electrochemistry. Fluoride, the 13th most common element in Earth’s crust, possesses high electronegativity, allowing atoms to attract electrons more effectively than lithium. Additionally, these batteries use water-based electrolytes rather than volatile liquid electrolytes found in conventional batteries, potentially reducing thermal control system requirements. However, researchers face complex optimization challenges, as changing one electrolyte property can influence multiple others, creating complicated tradeoffs between conductivity, stability, and ion transport speed.
To overcome these obstacles, the research team is deploying artificial intelligence tools to accelerate the discovery process. AI-enabled experiments are expected to complete in three to four minutes, compared to the typical ten minutes required for conventional testing. Beyond simply identifying which chemical formulations work, the researchers aim to understand the mechanistic pathways explaining why certain combinations perform better, seeking to establish causal relationships rather than mere correlations between electrolyte chemistry and battery performance.
While fluoride-ion battery development continues in laboratories across multiple US institutions including Argonne National Laboratory and Washington University in St. Louis, Toyota is simultaneously ramping up near-term EV production using current battery technology. The automaker has partnered with South Korea-based LG Energy Solution, which recently began operations at a new manufacturing facility in Lansing, Michigan. The plant will produce nickel-manganese-cobalt battery cells destined for upcoming Toyota electric vehicles, including the 2027 Highlander EV.
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