Toshiba Corporation is preparing to ship sample units of its latest lithium-ion battery innovation, the SCiB Nb, starting this month. Designed to meet the demands of high-use commercial electric vehicles (EVs), such as buses and trucks, the battery introduces a niobium titanium oxide (NTO) anode to the market for the first time in a rechargeable lithium-ion format.
The SCiB Nb achieves a volumetric energy density comparable to lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries while offering key performance advantages.
These include a 10-minute 80% charge capability and an estimated service life of 15,000 charge cycles, even under repeated rapid partial charging conditions. These attributes are positioned to support applications where vehicle uptime and long-term durability are critical.
Developed in collaboration with CBMM and Sojitz Corporation, the SCiB Nb benefits from a stable niobium supply chain and has undergone real-world testing in a prototype electric bus at CBMM’s industrial facility in Araxá, Brazil.
Unlike conventional carbon-based anodes, which are prone to lithium plating under high-rate charging and aging, the NTO anode in the SCiB Nb resists lithium deposition, helping to maintain safety and reliability over extended service life. This makes it especially suitable for commercial EVs operating on fixed routes with frequent, scheduled charging events.
Initial applications will focus on commercial transportation, though future deployment in marine and stationary energy storage systems is also anticipated.
Toshiba is currently accepting sample orders through a dedicated reservation site, offering potential adopters an opportunity to evaluate the battery’s performance in its own systems.
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News