Volkswagen subsidiary PowerCo gets serious about solid-state batteries
The VW battery subsidiary and QuantumScape know each other well.
They have had a joint venture since mid-2018, which will now be replaced by the new agreement. At the beginning of the year, PowerCo confirmed QuantumScape’s “encouraging results” with its solid-state battery cells after months of testing in its laboratories.
The core of the future collaboration is a non-exclusive licence, based on which PowerCo intends to enter into the large-scale production of solid-state cells. However, it still depends on “satisfactory technical progress and certain royalty payments.” If the conditions are met, PowerCo may produce up to 40 gigawatt hours (GWh) per year using QuantumScape technology, with the option of doubling production capacity. However, the Volkswagen subsidiary has not specified a timeframe.
QuantumScape’s technology platform is based on a solid ceramic separator developed in-house, enabling the use of pure lithium metal anodes. According to PowerCo, this separator is key “for exceptional energy and power density, fast charging and a robust safety profile.” Together, QuantumScape and PowerCo will develop a battery cell that can be used in Volkswagen Group vehicles.
“With this cooperation, we aim to bring the most sustainable and cutting-edge battery cells to our customers,” said Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo. “We have been collaborating and testing QuantumScape prototype cells for years now and we are looking forward to bringing this technology of the future into series production. QuantumScape’s technology is poised to enter a pivotal stage where PowerCo’s specialised expertise, resources and global factories can help facilitate the transition to industrial-scale production.”
“Electric vehicles are the future of mobility, and this agreement with QuantumScape will ensure the Volkswagen Group’s global fleet has access to this groundbreaking battery technology for years to come,” said Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board Member for Technology. “We are committed to driving the industry forward to ensure that our electric vehicles set the benchmark for excellence and sustainability.”
“This agreement is a major step in our long-term global scale-up strategy to bring QuantumScape’s solid-state lithium-metal battery technology to market,” said Dr. Siva Sivaram, CEO and president of QuantumScape. “Combining our cutting-edge technology with PowerCo’s expertise in manufacturing and industrialisation, this deal establishes a blueprint for a capital-light business approach and positions us at the forefront of energy storage innovation. Working closely with PowerCo as our first customer will help us accelerate commercialisation and adoption of these game-changing batteries together.”
In anticipation of the next phase of the collaboration, Frank Blome has resigned from QuantumScape’s board of directors. Blome had served on the board as one of two representatives designated by the Volkswagen Group since 2020. The Volkswagen Group remains QuantumScape’s largest shareholder, and Blome’s successor will be announced in the coming months.
“Frank Blome has been an exceptional partner for QuantumScape for many years,” said Jagdeep Singh, co-founder and board chairman of QuantumScape. “He has provided invaluable contributions to QuantumScape’s product portfolio strategy and key decisions about industrialisation. As we move forward, Frank will continue to be an active partner in this relationship as an anchor manufacturer of our innovative battery technology, ensuring strength and continuity in our collaborative efforts.”
QuantumScape began delivering advanced prototypes of its cells to customers. Known as ‘Alpha-2,” the prototypes have six instead of 24 layers compared to the previous ‘A0’ prototypes delivered to customers and offer a higher energy density. The company considered the cells an intermediate step between the A0 and the so-called ‘QSE-5-B0 prototypes,’ which are planned for later this year.
The QSE-5 is QuantumScape’s first commercial product, which will offer a capacity of 5 Ah and an energy density of over 800 Wh/l – and can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in around 15 minutes. A B0 prototype – i.e. the first beta version – would bring the company closer to the series product.
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