SALZGITTER (dpa-AFX) - Europe's major carmaker Volkswagen is making progress with the introduction of the solid-state cell, which is regarded as the next generation of e-car batteries. A license agreement has now been concluded with US partner Quantumscape that will enable VW to produce solid-state cell batteries for up to one million e-cars per year, the battery subsidiary PowerCo announced. When and where production could start was initially left open by the VW subsidiary. The technology is not yet ready for series production. PowerCo is currently building battery factories in Salzgitter, Valencia and Canada.
"Thanks to the agreement with Quantumscape, the Volkswagen Group will also have access to this pioneering battery technology in the coming years," said Thomas Schmall, VW Board Member for Technology. "Quantumscape's technology is about to enter a decisive phase in which we can use our know-how, our resources and our global production network to help make the step towards industrial-scale production possible," said PowerCo CEO Frank Blome.
The agreement that has now been concluded provides for PowerCo to produce up to 40 gigawatt hours (GWh) per year using Quantumscape technology. The capacity could later be doubled to 80 gigawatt hours. According to VW, this would be enough to power around one million e-vehicles per year.
Long-standing partnership
The solid-state cell is regarded in the industry as the next big step in battery development. Unlike the lithium-ion batteries previously used in electric cars, a solid electrolyte is used instead of a liquid one. Manufacturers are hoping that this will result in a longer range, faster charging and less wear and tear.
VW and Quantumscape have been working together for years on the development of the solid-state cell. VW is also the largest shareholder in the US company. VW and Quantumscape had previously planned to produce the solid-state cells in a joint venture. This joint venture will be replaced by the license agreement with PowerCo.
"By combining our cutting-edge technology with PowerCo's manufacturing and industrialization expertise, this deal is a blueprint for a capital-efficient business strategy," said Quantumscape CEO Siva Sivaram. "Working closely with PowerCo as our first customer will help accelerate the commercialization and market introduction of these breakthrough batteries."
Automotive industry drives new technology forward
Other manufacturers have also been working on the new battery technology for years. BMW wants to build a pilot plant in Parsdorf near Munich together with its partner Solid Power and is planning its first test vehicle with a solid-state cell before 2025, according to earlier reports. Nissan has announced a first pilot plant in Japan for 2024, while Toyota declared in the fall that it intends to bring the technology into series production by 2027./fjo/DP/men
