Toyota postpones solid-state battery project in Fukuoka for the second time

Toyota delays its Japanese solid-state battery plant again, citing slower EV demand. Officials confirm the project continues but with revised timelines and plans.

Toyota has once again postponed the construction of its solid-state battery plant in Japan, marking the second delay in the project and reflecting a cautious strategy amid a fast-changing electric vehicle market.

The plant was planned for a 280,000-square-meter site in Fukuoka. The location agreement, initially expected in spring, was first delayed until autumn and is now postponed indefinitely. According to Nikkei, Toyota will review and adjust the project over the next year.

Fukuoka governor Seitaro Hattori confirmed the delay, stressing that the project is not cancelled but revised. He added that the region remains committed and ready to offer tax incentives and infrastructure support once Toyota proceeds.

Toyota cited slower-than-expected EV demand as the reason, yet analysts from Rho Motion report that global electric vehicle sales continue to climb — surpassing two million units in a single month for the first time in September 2025. This contrast raises questions about the real motives behind the delay, with experts pointing to high production costs and technical challenges in solid-state battery development.

The company’s partners, including Sumitomo Metal Mining and Idemitsu Kosan, continue to build supply chains for future large-scale production. Idemitsu has already launched a pilot line to test sulfide electrolytes aimed at improving battery stability.

Despite the uncertainty, Toyota maintains its plan to introduce the first solid-state battery-powered EV by 2028. However, industry analysts suggest mass production is unlikely before the end of the decade. With rivals such as Volkswagen, BMW, Hyundai, and Honda moving faster on next-generation batteries, the Japanese automaker faces growing pressure to keep pace in innovation.