Who supplies the battery to Toyota?
Toyota’s battery supply comes from a mix of internal joint ventures with Panasonic and a growing set of external suppliers, notably CATL and LG Energy Solution, with regional variations by model and market.
To understand Toyota’s approach, it helps to look at the company’s history of battery partnerships, how those partnerships fit into its electrification strategy, and what the current supplier lineup looks like as Toyota expands beyond hybrids into full electrics.
Key battery suppliers and partnerships
Two long-standing Toyota-Panasonic joint ventures provide the core of Toyota’s battery supply for hybrids and newer electrified models.
Primearth EV Energy Co. (PEVE)
PEVE is a joint venture between Toyota and Panasonic that has historically supplied nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries for Toyota’s hybrids (e.g., Prius). As Toyota broadened into lithium-ion cells, PEVE has continued to play a role in contributions to the broader battery program and ongoing hybrid technology development.
Prime Planet Energy & Solutions (PPES)
PPES is the joint venture formed by Toyota and Panasonic to design and manufacture lithium-ion battery cells for Toyota’s hybrid and electric vehicles. PPES is central to Toyota’s strategy to secure scalable, in-house cell supply for its expanding lineup of electrified vehicles.
These partnerships provide Toyota with in-house scale and coordination for its core hybrid technology while supporting its broader electrification push across regions and models.
External suppliers and diversification
Beyond its Panasonic collaborations, Toyota has broadened its supplier base to diversify risk and increase capacity across markets.
CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited)
CATL is a major Chinese battery maker that Toyota has engaged with to supply lithium-ion cells for certain models and markets, helping broaden the supply pool beyond Panasonic-based cells.
LG Energy Solution
LG Energy Solution is another key supplier in Toyota’s multi-source strategy, providing cells for various Toyota models in different regions to supplement Panasonic-based supply.
Other regional suppliers and localization efforts
In addition to the two global leaders, Toyota pursues regional partnerships and local production arrangements to secure capacity—particularly in China, Japan, North America, and Europe—as part of a local-for-local strategy for battery sourcing.
The multi-source approach aims to cushion supply disruptions, accelerate electrification, and support Toyota’s global rollout of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles.
Strategic implications for Toyota
Toyota’s battery-sourcing strategy reflects a balance between established, in-house-derived cell production (via PEVE and PPES) and diversification through external suppliers (CATL, LG Energy Solution, and others). This structure supports Toyota’s commitment to a broad electrified lineup—ranging from hybrids to BEVs—while pursuing localization, cost containment, and secure access to growing global demand for automotive batteries.
Summary
In short, Toyota relies on a stable core established with Panasonic through PEVE and PPES for much of its hybrid and electric-cell needs, while actively broadening its supply base with external partners like CATL and LG Energy Solution to ensure diversified, regional capacity. This multi-faceted approach underpins Toyota’s ongoing push to expand its electrified vehicle portfolio worldwide.
What battery company does Toyota use?
Toyota uses its own brand, Toyota TrueStart™ batteries, for its vehicles, which are designed specifically for Toyota models. These are often manufactured by other companies like Exide for Toyota. For hybrid and electric vehicles, Toyota uses a combination of its own developed lithium-ion batteries and is also working on advanced solid-state battery technology for future models.
For standard gasoline vehicles
- Brand: Toyota TrueStart™ batteries are the genuine option, built to meet the specifications of Toyota engineers.
- Manufacturer: While the brand is Toyota, companies like Exide manufacture them in North America.
- Replacement: You can purchase these through a Toyota dealership.
For hybrid and electric vehicles
- Brand: Toyota develops and uses its own lithium-ion batteries for its hybrid and electric models.
- Future technology: The company is actively developing and plans to roll out solid-state batteries for its electric vehicles starting around 2027-2028.
Who is the battery supplier for Toyota?
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has agreed with Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic HD) to make Primearth EV Energy Co., Ltd. (PEVE) a wholly owned subsidiary in order to strengthen its capabilities in mass-producing automotive batteries.
Where does Toyota get their batteries?
Toyota will be begin shipping lithium batteries from its own plant in North Carolina from April this year, beginning with deliveries by truck to its Kentucky assembly plant in Georgetown.
Who is Toyota battery partner?
Sumitomo Metal Mining
Sumitomo Metal Mining and Toyota Motor Corporation have entered into a joint development agreement for the mass production of cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries to be installed in battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The two companies will advance development through this collaboration.
