All articles tagged with #ev batteries
Samsung is preparing to mass-produce solid-state batteries with a 600-mile range that can charge in 9 minutes, aiming for market release next year, in partnership with BMW and Solid Power, promising safer, more efficient energy storage for electric vehicles and devices.
The Trump administration is seeking a 10% stake in Lithium Americas, which is developing the Thacker Pass lithium mine in Nevada, as part of renegotiating a $2.26 billion DOE loan, despite its criticism of the energy transition. GM, a major investor in Lithium Americas, has a significant stake and rights to buy future lithium production, which is crucial for EV manufacturing.
Ford is expanding its EV battery business by planning to sell excess batteries produced at its Kentucky plant, aiming to generate additional revenue amid slowing EV sales and market challenges, with a focus on new, more affordable electric vehicles based on its innovative platform.
U.S. EV battery manufacturers are shifting focus from electric vehicle markets to producing batteries for utilities, renewable energy projects, and data centers, as the EV market slows down and energy storage gains prominence.
GM and Redwood Materials are repurposing used EV batteries into energy storage systems to support microgrids, enhance energy resilience, and promote sustainability in the US, reducing reliance on foreign materials and addressing environmental challenges.
GM is partnering with Redwood Materials to repurpose used and new EV batteries for stationary energy storage, including a 12 MW microgrid in Nevada that supplies power to a data center, aiming to expand grid-scale storage and reduce waste from EV batteries.
Panasonic has opened the world's largest EV battery plant in De Soto, Kansas, significantly expanding its U.S. production capacity to support Tesla and other automakers, with the plant producing more energy-efficient cylindrical cells and creating thousands of jobs, amid a growing U.S. EV industry and global trade tensions.
General Motors and LG Energy Solution are upgrading their Tennessee plant to produce low-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) EV batteries, which are cheaper and do not require expensive minerals like cobalt and nickel. The move aims to diversify GM's EV battery portfolio and is expected to start commercial production by late 2027, supporting GM's goal to offer only EVs by 2035.
As over 100,000 used EVs are set to retire in the US this year, their batteries, which often still retain over 50% capacity, can be repurposed into stationary energy storage systems to support the grid and reduce environmental impact. Redwood Materials is leading this effort, turning old EV batteries into second-life energy solutions, which are expected to grow significantly alongside the expanding EV market. The industry is poised for rapid growth, with recycling and second-life markets projected to reach billions in the coming decades.
QuantumScape's stock surged 44% after announcing a key milestone in solid-state EV battery technology, specifically the baseline production of its improved Cobra separator process, bringing the company closer to commercial viability by 2026, with Volkswagen as a major early adopter.
The Department of Energy has preliminarily approved a $7.54 billion loan to a joint venture between Stellantis and Samsung SDI for the construction of two electric vehicle battery factories in Kokomo, Indiana. This project, expected to create 3,200 jobs, is part of the DOE's Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, revived by President Biden to support the EV industry. The loan's future is uncertain, as Donald Trump has vowed to reverse Biden's EV spending if he returns to office. The factories aim to produce 67 GWh of batteries annually, enough for 670,000 vehicles.
General Motors is selling its stake in an EV battery plant in Lansing, Michigan, to LG Energy Solutions, making LG the sole owner. The plant, developed by their joint venture Ultium Cells LLC, will allow LG to sell batteries to other customers. GM will recover its $1 billion investment and focus on its other battery factories in the US. This move aligns with GM's strategy to profit from its EV business by simplifying supply chains and leveraging domestic production. GM and LG also plan to develop prismatic battery cells for higher energy capacity.
Northvolt's CEO, Peter Carlsson, has resigned following the company's filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US. The Swedish EV battery maker, once a promising European startup, is struggling with financial difficulties, production issues, and the loss of key customers like BMW. Northvolt needs to raise $1-1.2 billion to stabilize its operations, which are currently supported by $100 million in new financing. The company plans to restructure by early 2025, amid a challenging market dominated by Asian competitors.
Toyota has reaffirmed its commitment to developing new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, including part-hydrogen-powered options, alongside its EV efforts. The company plans to introduce smaller, battery-assisted ICE engines for hybrid and plugin hybrid vehicles, aiming for production around the end of 2026 to align with new EU emissions regulations. Toyota's leadership believes that a diversified approach, including gas, hybrid, and hydrogen investments, is more practical for achieving carbon neutrality than focusing solely on battery-electric vehicles.
Chinese automakers and battery giants, including BYD, CATL, and NIO, have formed an alliance called the China All-Solid-State Battery Collaborative Innovation Platform (CASIP) to develop all solid-state EV batteries. This alliance aims to commercialize solid-state batteries and establish a supply chain, with a focus on boosting research and development of next-gen EV battery tech. The goal is to ensure China remains ahead in the global EV battery market, as six of the top ten global battery makers collaborate to bring solid-state EV batteries to market.