The Unexpected Player in the EV Game
When you think of electric vehicles, Subaru might not be the first name that pops into your mind. Known more for their rugged all-wheel drives and loveable Subaru Outback, the automaker has been a bit of a laggard in the EV landscape. However, in the midst of EV chatter, the company has decided to step up its game—introducing solid-state EV batteries! And wait until you hear how they’re testing these futuristic power sources.
Powering Robots, Not Cars…Yet?
That’s right! Subaru is using solid-state batteries not to juice up their beloved vehicles yet, but to power robots in their Oizumi plant in Japan. Typically, industrial batteries have a short shelf-life of one to two years, but Subaru’s new solid-state technology promises a whopping ten-year lifespan without replacement. In fact, the ceramic-packaged battery packs from Maxwell Ltd. are currently valued for industrial use, but they’re a tad too small for the friendly neighborhood EV.
A Scenic Route to Electric Vehicles
By the end of the month, Subaru plans to unveil more tests for these innovative batteries in actual vehicles. Though electric dreams with solid-state batteries may not zoom onto the highways just yet, Subaru is looking forward to rolling out several new all-electric models, including the revamped Solterra and Trailseeker SUVs. With a keen eye on the future—while navigating U.S. policy changes—Subaru’s EV strategy may just be about to take a refreshing turn!
