Honda Type Rs are special editions of Honda. Type R models belong to Honda’s respective model families. They are performance-oriented high-value Hondas.
To its progress, Honda Type Rs are fast and they are perfect for racing. That’s why they come lightweight, highly potential, and efficient. To support its strength, Honda CEO Mibe said that, in the future Honda Type Rs will rely on Solid State batteries to derive true potential.
Over time, the Type R nameplate became a cornerstone of Honda’s signature offerings. Users love the smooth engine tuning, suspension set-up, and turbo speed.
Type R is available with Honda Civic, Accord, and Integra. Honda NSX Type R was also available for some time, but that’s it. They are a masterpiece. One notable observation of Type R models is, that they always appear to be on run, while they are standing still.
They aerodynamically hold high potential and are incredibly consistent at speed. We could only wonder how far the perfection would go with the edition of Solid State Batteries.
Honda CEO Says, Solid-State Batteries Are The Future Of The Type R
In a recent interview with The Drive, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said, solid-state batteries are inevitable for the Type R EV models. It starts from the Civic Type R. Learn more.
Not only Toshihiro Mibe but another official from Honda, Managing Officer Shinji Aoyama also remarked that the performance vehicle Type R models already have an eccentric value.
And, solid-state batteries are powerful, lightweight, and don’t require highly complex cooling functionality to run. Thus, the primary key to Type R’s future perhaps lies in the Solid State batteries.
Direct from Mibe & Shinji
Mibe said, “Compared to current EV batteries, this would help reduce the weight and would be effective for Type R and motorcycle applications as well. In the future, solid-state batteries will be the center for electric cars and motorcycles that have soul,”
Shinji Aoyama added, “The solid-state battery will make the weight lighter.”
So, when you combine these two, the ultimate thing you can expect is a blast of power and performance.
As To Why Honda Type Rs Are To Receive Solid-State Batteries, Here Is A Brief Explanation.
Honda Type R models are famous for their lightweight build, sharp handling, and free dynamics. Currently, the EV batteries used in Honda may pull back your driving dynamics.
Honda fears that the recent EV batteries would pale the strong impression of their Type R series. After all, they have been on trend for too long to lose. That’s why, Honda thinks the solid-state batters are a better option for the Type R series.
A Few Words On The Contrast Between Solid State Batteries and EV Batteries:
Honda Electric Vehicles use traditional Lithium-Ion batteries. It’s made of two electrodes in an electrolyte, and five critical minerals – lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite to power almost any EV.
On the contrary, solid-state batteries have a different cell configuration. It is, however, the same as any liquid electrolyte cell.
The primary difference between solid-state batteries and lithium-ion batteries lies in the liquid electrolyte solution. Lithium-ion batteries use a gooey liquid. Meanwhile, solid-state batteries use a higher energy density solution.
More to this, the electrolytes in solid-state batteries have no risk of explosion or fire. So, users can be relaxed with safety measures and make more room in the car.
Another privilege of Solid-State batteries is that the batteries have high sustainability in different temperatures. Thus, they can withstand any low and high temperatures, ideal for extremely tough environments.
This also ensures your EV is better and safely charged over a short period than the lithium-ion batteries.
Also, let’s not forget the high durability of solid-state batteries over Lithium-Ion batteries. Li-Ion batteries start to decay after 1,000 cycles. Meanwhile, solid-state batteries would spend 90% of their life after 5,000 charges.
All these reasons are pushing Honda forward with the use of solid-state batteries. The only obstacle Honda may face now is the application of solid-state batteries to a large-scale application.
However, solid-state batteries do have a few limitations such as they are expensive and they need costly vacuum deposition equipment. We are sure Honda engineers will take care of that! In summary, solid-state batteries are the future of not only Type R vehicles but also all other EVs.
When Will Honda Start Using Solid-State Batteries?
Now, the question remains, when will this happen? To this question, Aoyama replied, it’s, however, “difficult to respond.” At this point, CEO Toshihiro Mibe seemed highly content with the solid-state batteries. He remarked that the solid-state batteries would smoothly match the electric Type R due to their unique traits.
He added, “For example, a characteristic of solid-state batteries is that they don’t easily overheat, meaning that the cooling systems for these [Type R] electric vehicles can be simplified in terms of size and weight,”
However, the company doesn’t deny that an electric Type R is impossible without solid-state batteries. Look around and Honda has multiple EVs in queue.
Both officials, Mibe and Ayoyama are just confident that the solid-state battery technology would hold the Type Rs true to their potential and core values.
A report on The Drive also said something different. Honda is not ready to switch the Type R models to electric yet. Most Type R Hondas are hybrids. However, in the future, Honda Type Rs will become electric.
Apart from Mibe and Aoyama, a consultant from the brand said, ‘We could see electric Type R models from Honda in the future’
However, sooner or later, Honda Type Rs will become electric. When this happens, solid-state batteries are the best way to lean forward.
Only one factor remains on hand now – the price. Except for the confirmation of using solid-state batteries, a lot of factors as to when and how much are uncertain. We guess we have to wait a bit longer to get tags on price.
In Summary,
It’s not only Honda. Ferrari, an Italian super automaker also finds the solid-state technology as an ideal candidate to take over the EVs. They believe this is the right time to proceed and welcome this technology.
Companies who haven’t started on solid-state batteries should start investing in the R&D for solid-state technology and smoothen the road for future EVs.
It appears that Honda intends to follow BMW and Porshe’s remarkable footsteps to join the solid-state battery tech improvements. The company has already taken some initiatives.
Last year, the Japanese automaker announced that they are to produce solid-state lithium-ion batteries for all new Honda models.
Soon Honda Pilot Production is in line this Spring 2024. It may cost approximately 43 billion yen ($300 million). This one will entirely focus on the development and progress of solid-state batteries.
However, it is not that Honda will purely and only depend on solid-state batteries on the Type R models.
a hint at what direction the company hopes to take in the future. Honda hasn’t 100% confirmed it yet.
Instead, it’s a hint of what Honda intends to do with the most dynamic Type R vehicles. It includes popular models such as the Civic Sedan and Accords.
Electrification is taking over the modern vehicle industry now. We believe it’s high time Honda steps in and becomes a game changer too.
What do you think about it? Let us know in the comment section. Stay in touch with us, we will soon be back with another article.
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