The Volkswagen Group, together with subsidiaries PowerCo and Elli, has showcased a series of groundbreaking battery and energy technologies at the IAA Mobility 2025, reinforcing its vision of sustainable mobility “Made in Europe.”
In a world premiere, Volkswagen unveiled its first Group test vehicle powered by a solid-state battery, developed in collaboration with QuantumScape. The prototype, based on Ducati’s all-electric V21L, features a custom-built battery system with up to 980 QSE-5 cells, promising higher energy density, faster charging, enhanced safety, and longer life cycles. While further testing is needed, Volkswagen believes the technology could be a game-changer, with commercial deployment targeted by the end of the decade.
A second milestone came with the debut of PowerCo’s Unified Cell and Cell-to-Pack technology, which will power Volkswagen’s upcoming Electric Urban Car Family (Volkswagen, Škoda, CUPRA) from 2026. With energy density of 660 Wh/l, ranges of up to 450 kilometers, and charging times under 25 minutes, the new system combines efficiency with affordability. Production will begin this year at the Salzgitter Gigafactory, followed by plants in Spain and Canada.
The third premiere highlighted Elli’s large-scale storage initiative. At Salzgitter, Elli will launch a 20 MW/40 MWh PowerCenter in December 2025, enabling grid stabilization and supporting Europe’s renewable energy transition.
Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume emphasized the strategic importance of these advances: “By bringing battery cells, systems, and energy solutions in-house, we are not only developing the best technologies for our customers but also strengthening Europe’s position as a hub for sustainable mobility.”
Together, these innovations signal Volkswagen’s ambition to become a global technology leader in e-mobility and energy solutions, while driving affordability, resilience, and sustainability in Europe’s automotive industry.
