Companies are collaborating to develop top-tier lithium-metal technology for large-scale production in passenger electric vehicles. PowerCo has obtained a license to produce up to 40 gigawatt-hours annually, potentially increasing this to 80 gigawatt-hours to equip around one million electric cars annually.
Volkswagen Group’s divisions, PowerCo and QuantumScape, have forged a significant agreement to commercialize QuantumScape’s solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. Should technical milestones be met and specific royalty payments be made, QuantumScape will permit PowerCo to commence mass production of battery cells using its proprietary technology.
Granted under a non-exclusive license, Powerco can produce up to 40 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year. This figure can potentially double to 80 GWh annually to supply batteries for about one million vehicles annually. Both companies view this partnership as the most effective strategy to rapidly scale solid-state battery technology to meet increasing global demands for superior electric vehicle batteries. This new agreement replaces a joint venture between the Volkswagen Group and QuantumScape aimed at collaborative battery production.
The partnership is designed to leverage QuantumScape’s technology and PowerCo’s industrial and manufacturing prowess. It involves a large-scale team integration effort to expedite the commercialization of QuantumScape’s technology. This team, comprising specialists from both companies, will focus on the scale-up and industrialization efforts. QuantumScape features a unique solid-state ceramic separator that uses a pure lithium-metal anode to enhance battery energy, power density, charging speed, and safety.
The collaboration aims to develop a product that can be incorporated into the Volkswagen Group vehicle series, underscoring a shared commitment to innovative and sustainable battery solutions.
Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo, expressed enthusiasm about advancing this technology to production. He stated that the collaboration aims to provide customers with the most sustainable and advanced battery cells. After extensively testing QuantumScape’s cells, he noted a solid eagerness to transition this forward-looking technology into serial production.
Thomas Schmall, a Volkswagen Group board Member for Technology, emphasized the strategic significance of the partnership, pointing out that electric vehicles are the future of transportation. He asserted that the agreement with QuantumScape ensures that their global fleet will continue to benefit from cutting-edge battery technology. Schmall reaffirmed the company’s commitment to leading the industry and setting high standards in excellence and sustainability for electric vehicles.
Dr Siva Sivaram, CEO and president of QuantumScape, described the agreement as critical for scaling the technology globally. He explained that this partnership is a crucial step in their strategy to broadly introduce QuantumScape’s solid state lithium-metal battery technology to the market. By merging their sophisticated technology with PowerCo sturing expertise, the agreement establishes a capital-efficient business model and places them at the forefront of energy storage innovation. Sivaram highlighted that working with PowerCo as their initial customer would significantly accelerate the commercialization and adoption of these groundbreaking battery solutions.
