Toyota nears mass production of solid-state batteries, EU's attention divided between Ukraine and Israel, Israeli startups face challenges due to war with Hamas.
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Quick takeaways
The European Union faces challenges in providing long-term political support to both the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the Israel-Hamas conflict due to limited resources and potential fallout.
Toyota's upcoming mass production of solid-state batteries has the potential to revolutionize electric vehicles by providing double the range and faster charging time, despite facing technical challenges.
Deep dives
EU Meeting on Conflicts: Israel-Hamas and Ukraine-Russia
The European Union is discussing the Israel-Hamas conflict and the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. These conflicts have significant implications for the EU, ranging from migration and power shifts to financial strain on EU budgets. While there is consensus on supporting Ukraine, divisions remain regarding Israel and Palestine. The EU's ability to politically support these two conflicts in the long term is uncertain due to limited resources and potential fallout. Although Ukraine remains a priority for the EU, the Israel-Hamas conflict is currently receiving more attention.
Toyota's Solid-State Batteries for Electric Vehicles
Toyota is set to release solid-state batteries that offer a significant boost to electric vehicles. Despite being sensitive to moisture and oxygen, these batteries could provide double the distance of current batteries and be recharged in 10 minutes or less. Toyota aims to achieve mass production by 2027 or 2028. While there are some technical challenges, such as preventing short-circuits, the potential benefits of these batteries are substantial, improving the range and charging time of electric vehicles.
Impact of Israel-Hamas Conflict on Tech Industry
Israel's tech industry, a critical driver of its economy, is facing challenges due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Approximately 15% of the tech industry's workforce has been called up for military service, impacting companies' operations and product development. Furthermore, if the conflict continues, broader implications such as currency depreciation and foreign investor confidence may arise. Despite the challenges, Israeli companies are resilient and have a track record of overcoming difficulties, fostering a belief that they can emerge stronger from this crisis.
Toyota says it is close to being able to mass produce next-generation solid-state batteries, and the European Union is trying to juggle support for Ukraine and Israel. Plus, start up companies in Israel are being put to the test due to the war with Hamas.
The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Monica Lopez, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.