BatteryTech News & Updates – Week #48

🔋 VW to launch high-voltage battery production in China

Volkswagen has inaugurated its first wholly-owned high-voltage battery system plant in China (VWAC), significantly advancing its "In China, for China" strategy and contributing to the development of intelligent connected vehicles (ICV) and sustainable manufacturing practices.

The battery systems include cell modules, management controllers, and a battery management system, with 96% of components sourced locally. The plant integrates advanced technology and automation in production, assembly, and testing, including automated guided vehicles, intelligent cameras, and industrial robots.

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🔋 CATL claims 1,000-km range for new skateboard platform in testing

CATL has developed an EV skateboard platform, the CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis (CIIC), which promises a range of 1,000 kilometers and integrates essential components like battery packs and motors. This innovative platform aims to revolutionize electric vehicle efficiency and design.

The CIIC achieved a consumption rate of 10.5 kWh/100 km and a range of 1,000 kilometers. This technology combines main battery components into the vehicle's floor, thus removing the need for separate battery packs. It aims to reduce costs and energy consumption while increasing range and passenger space.

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🔋 Nissan is ramping up its UK EV business with a $2.5 billion investment

Nissan is significantly expanding its electric vehicle (EV) operations in the UK, with a substantial investment of $2.5 billion. This move includes the production of three EV models and the construction of a new battery factory, highlighting Nissan's commitment to carbon neutrality and the transformation of the UK's automotive industry post-Brexit.

As part of this investment, Nissan will construct a third battery factory in the UK. This move is significant for Nissan's 7,000 UK employees and adds to the total proposed investment in the region of about $3.8 billion (£3 billion).

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🔋 Stellantis Inaugurates its First Circular Economy Hub in Turin, Italy

Stellantis has inaugurated the SUSTAINera Circular Economy Hub at its Mirafiori Complex in Turin, Italy, as part of its broader strategy to achieve carbon net zero by 2038. This initiative, central to Stellantis' "Dare Forward 2030" plan, emphasizes sustainable manufacturing and consumption, aiming to generate over €2 billion in revenue by 2030.

The facility plans to manage over 50,000 remanufactured parts by 2025, increasing to 150,000 by 2030. The hub will process millions of worn parts for remanufacturing and recycling and recondition vehicles using new, remanufactured, or used parts.

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🔋 Sila Builds out its US Plant for Titan Silicon Anode Production

Sila, a next-generation battery materials company, has commenced the construction of its Moses Lake plant in Washington, targeting a 2025 start for commercial production. The plant will focus on producing Titan Silicon™ anodes, aiming to enhance the performance of electric vehicles (EVs) and reinforce U.S. leadership in domestic manufacturing and energy security.

The Titan Silicon™ anode offers a 20% energy density increase over top-performing graphite cells, aiming to improve EV performance, increase vehicle range, and reduce charging times.

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🔋 Geely Holding and NIO Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement on Battery Swapping Technology

Geely Holding and NIO have signed a strategic partnership agreement to enhance and expand battery swapping technology, aiming to standardize the technology, increase its network scale, and accelerate the automotive industry's low-carbon transformation in China.

The partnership covers various aspects such as battery standards, swapping technology, network expansion, model development, and battery asset management.

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🔋 tozero and Huayou Cobalt partner on Li-ion battery recycling

The partnership between Munich-based startup tozero and Huayou Recycling aims to significantly impact Europe's battery industry by addressing the challenges of battery waste from the increasing electrification of the eMobility landscape in Europe.

This partnership aims to address the increasing electrification in Europe and the resulting surge in battery waste. Huayou Recycling will supply tozero with waste from end-of-life EV batteries and battery production scrap. tozero will use this waste to recover raw materials for new battery production. Both companies will explore combining their recycling technologies to offer a closed-loop battery material solution, significantly reducing the environmental footprint.

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