Panasonic Unveils Ultra-Fast All-Solid-State Batteries, Targeting Drones First

Panasonic Unveils Ultra-Fast All-Solid-State Batteries, Targeting Drones First

Panasonic Holdings has officially announced progress on its all-solid-state battery technology, with initial applications focused on drone technology. The company aims to begin mass production of these next-generation batteries in the latter half of the 2020s, offering a significant leap in energy storage performance.

All-Solid-State Batteries Charge to 80% in Just 3 Minutes

One of the most impressive features of Panasonic’s new battery technology is its ultra-fast charging capability—able to reach 80% charge in about 3 minutes. This marks a dramatic improvement over traditional lithium-ion batteries, which often require nearly an hour to fully charge. For drone operators in fields like agriculture, security surveillance, and last-mile delivery, this could dramatically reduce downtime and boost operational efficiency.

Durability and Long Life Cycle

During a recent private showcase for media and prospective clients, Panasonic highlighted the durability of these solid-state batteries. Although the technical specifications remain under wraps, industry insiders reveal that these batteries can handle tens of thousands of charge-discharge cycles—far surpassing the average 3,000-cycle lifespan of standard lithium-ion cells.

Potential for Electric Vehicles in the Near Future

While drones are Panasonic’s initial focus, the broader vision includes expanding into the electric vehicle (EV) sector. Leading carmakers like Toyota are already eyeing all-solid-state batteries for future EV models, with projected rollouts by 2027 or 2028.

Panasonic’s CTO, Toshio Ogawa, emphasized the importance of cross-industry partnerships, stating, “It cannot be done independently by one company,” referring to the need for collaborative development with major automakers to successfully integrate solid-state technology into the EV ecosystem.