PowerCo and US-based battery developer QuantumScape have entered into an agreement to industrialize QuantumScapeʼs lithium metal solid-state battery technology. The non-exclusive license allows PowerCo to produce up to 40 gigawatt-hours per year of battery cells based on QuantumScape’s technology, with the potential to expand to up to 80 gigawatt-hours per year. The agreement replaces a previous joint venture between Volkswagen and QuantumScape.
Strategic partnership for volume production
The goal of the partnership is to combine QuantumScape’s technology with PowerCoʼs industrialization expertise. The companies see the agreement as the fastest route to volume production of solid-state cells at the gigawatt-hour scale. A team of experts from both companies will work together on implementation. The companies are not providing any information on a potential time line for implementation.
QuantumScape’s technology is based on a solid-state ceramic separator that enables the use of pure lithium metal anodes. This is claimed to result in higher energy and power density and faster charging times compared to conventional cells, with a “robust” safety profile. PowerCo has been working with the battery developer for years and says it is conducting its own tests on the companyʼs prototypes.
