In a groundbreaking move, Volkswagen Group’s battery company, PowerCo, and QuantumScape have announced a landmark agreement to industrialize QuantumScape’s next-generation solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. This collaboration aims to advance the production of solid-state batteries, a technology poised to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) market.
Under this non-exclusive agreement, PowerCo will receive the license to manufacture up to 40 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year using QuantumScape’s technology, with an option to expand up to 80 GWh. This capacity is sufficient to power approximately one million vehicles annually. The agreement supersedes a previous joint venture between the Volkswagen Group and QuantumScape to co-manufacture batteries.
Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo, emphasized the significance of this collaboration: “We want to redefine the future of battery technology, bringing the most sustainable and cutting-edge battery cells to our customers. 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 proprietary solid-state ceramic separator enables the use of a pure lithium-metal anode, promising exceptional energy and power density, fast charging capabilities, and a robust safety profile. The joint effort will leverage PowerCo’s global manufacturing capabilities to scale up production and integrate these advanced batteries into Volkswagen Group’s electric vehicles.
Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board Member for Technology, highlighted the long-term benefits: “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. We are committed to driving the industry forward to ensure that our electric vehicles set the benchmark for excellence and sustainability.”
Dr. Siva Sivaram, CEO and President of QuantumScape, added: “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. Combining our cutting-edge technology with PowerCo’s expertise in manufacturing and industrialization positions us at the forefront of energy storage innovation.”
The partnership will also see a large, dedicated scale-up team composed of experts from both companies working collaboratively to accelerate the industrialization process. Frank Blome, who has been instrumental in this partnership, will continue to support the collaboration while stepping down from QuantumScape’s board of directors.
Jagdeep Singh, co-founder and chairman of QuantumScape’s board of directors, praised Blome’s contributions: “Frank Blome has been an exceptional partner for QuantumScape for many years. He has provided invaluable contributions to QuantumScape’s product portfolio strategy and key decisions about industrialization.”
This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in the journey toward mass production of solid-state batteries, ensuring a sustainable and technologically advanced future for electric mobility.
