Battery Development

With the topping-off ceremony on July 13, 2026, the Fraunhofer Institute for Battery Cell Research and Production (FFB) has entered the next phase of construction for the FFB Fab. This is a visible milestone in the development of the second phase of the battery research facility in Münster. The approximately 39,000-square-meter site will house more than 20,000 square meters of production space. Facilities are being built that will scale up battery cell production to the gigawatt level. The project is shifting from a pilot production phase to research under larger-scale production conditions. PreFab Has Been in Operation Since 2024 The first construction phase, the FFB PreFab, began operating in early 2024. According to the facility, more than 140 scientists are presently working there. This digitized research factory simulates the production process, from incoming materials to formed battery cells. It enables laboratory samples, initial prototypes, and small-batch production on a pilot line. The new FFB Fab is intended to complement this infrastructure. Companies and research institutions will be able to test near-series processes, cell concepts, and plant technology under larger-scale production conditions. One Billion Euros Allocated for Entire Site The federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia are jointly providing approximately one billion euros for the project. Of this amount, the federal government is funding research facilities and projects with up to 750 million euros. The state is investing approximately 320 million euros in land and new buildings. Fraunhofer is carrying out the project in collaboration with the University of Münster, RWTH Aachen University, and the Jülich Research Center. The site covers a total area of approximately 56,000 square meters and will integrate laboratory, pilot, and large-scale production research. These facilities will enable research on round cells, prismatic cells, and pouch cells. Source:https://www.ffb.fraunhofer.de/en/press/news/Kickoff_for_the_Big_FFB_Fab.html

The Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor plans to deliver 50,000 vehicles equipped with its own solid-state battery technology by 2027. Prior to that, Dongfeng plans to produce around 100 demonstration vehicles by the end of 2026. With this announcement, the company establishes specific intermediate goals, yet clearly positions mass production well into the future. According to Zhang Wei, the head of batteries at the Dongfeng Research Institute, a small-scale mass production is not expected until around 2030. The company expects large-scale production and widespread adoption to begin around 2035. The 50,000 vehicles mentioned for 2027 are therefore likely to be used primarily for testing and early industrialization. In-House Developed Solid-State Battery At the heart of the demonstration vehicles is a solid-state battery with an energy density of 350 Wh/kg. According to Dongfeng, the company completed winter testing of this battery in vehicles in January 2026. The battery is planned for use in the first vehicles in the fourth quarter of this year.  The company also states that it can already manufacture the battery in consistent batches. Dongfeng states that the electrodes, solid electrolyte, and complete battery pack integration were all developed in-house. According to company estimates, the battery will enable a range of more than 1,000 kilometers. Dongfeng has been operating a solid-state battery laboratory and a pilot plant with a capacity of 0.2 GWh since June 2025. Source:https://cnevpost.com/2026/07/08/dongfeng-50000-solid-state-battery-cars-2027/

The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio plans to begin construction on a new battery research and development facility in Shangahi in the second half of the year. Located in Jiading District, the project will reportedly focus on next-generation battery technologies. This information comes from a post on the Jiading District Government’s WeChat channel. Once completed, the facility is expected to include 31 lithium battery testing laboratories, a lithium-ion cell pilot line, and a battery pack production line. Nio has had a presence in Jiading for over ten years and operates its global development headquarters for production vehicles there. The company has already established several test centers in the district covering a total area of more than 60,000 square meters. Focus on Battery Technology and Solid-State Approaches In March, the Anting administration in Jiading and Nio signed a cooperation agreement for the battery project. Around the same time, Nio Battery Technology (Shanghai) Co. was established. Nio wholly owns the company, which has a registered capital of 100 million yuan (just under 15 million USD).  According to a China Times report, the new company is working on solid-state batteries, among other things. At the time, a Nio source estimated that this technology could be deployed on a larger scale after 2027. Nio is reportedly exploring several technical approaches, including oxide and sulfide systems. Source:https://cnevpost.com/2026/07/07/nio-to-start-construction-shanghai-battery-facility-h2/

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL expects to begin producing sodium-ion batteries for electric vehicles in significant quantities this year. According to production chief Ni Jun, this battery technology is expected to power approximately 10,000 to 20,000 vehicles by 2026. However, CATL CEO Robin Zeng is tempering expectations for solid-state batteries. He states that widespread mass production is not yet on the horizon. Sodium-ion batteries set to debut in vehicles soon CATL has been working on sodium-ion batteries since 2016. To date, the company has invested nearly 10 billion yuan (just under 1.5 billion U.S. dollars) in their development, a figure expected to reach 15 billion yuan by the end of 2025. In April 2025, CATL launched the Naxtra brand for this purpose. The cells are expected to achieve an energy density of up to 175 Wh/kg. According to the company, this is roughly equivalent to standard LFP batteries. A production vehicle developed in partnership with Changan Automobile is set to be released in mid-2026. CATL states that the range will be up to 400 kilometers. Once the supply chain matures, CATL believes a range of 500 to 600 kilometers will be possible. CATL cites cost savings and improved performance in cold weather as the main advantages. Even at minus 40 degrees Celsius, capacity retention is expected to remain above 90 percent. CATL is also expanding its presence in the stationary storage sector. The Tener Sodium system is scheduled to begin shipping in China in September. Global deliveries are planned for June 2027. Solid-state technology remains development territory for now CATL is taking a much more cautious stance on solid-state batteries. Zeng rated the current state of the technology as level four out of nine. Level nine represents mass production. Zeng noted that technical progress, reliability, safety, supply capability, and commercial acceptance are all crucial factors. Previous statements indicated that CATL aims to reach levels seven or eight by 2027. This would enable small-scale production runs. However, high costs and unresolved production issues remain hurdles. Zeng had previously stated that producing in the millions is unlikely before 2030. Sources:https://cnevpost.com/2026/06/24/catl-expects-10000-evs-sodium-batteries-2026/https://cnevpost.com/2026/06/24/catl-chairman-long-road-solid-state-battery-mass-production/

The U.S.-based battery developer QuantumScape announced a joint research agreement with Honda R&D, a subsidiary of the Honda Motor Company. Their goal is to further develop QuantumScape’s battery technology and related manufacturing processes. This multi-year agreement focuses on the QS battery platform. Specifically, the agreement focuses on QuantumScape’s solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. The company views this technology as a potential foundation for energy storage systems with higher energy density, faster charging, and improved safety. Honda previously evaluated the tech A technology evaluation conducted by Honda preceded the new agreement. As part of this process, Honda reportedly conducted a technical review of QuantumScape’s platform and compared it with competing approaches using standardized tests. According to QuantumScape, Honda sees potential for the technology in various applications, including the automotive sector. Source:https://ir.quantumscape.com/news-releases/news-release-details/quantumscape-announces-agreement-honda-solid-state-battery

OPmobility and ProLogium have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on solid-state EV battery packs. Their goal is to integrate ProLogium’s solid-state cells into battery modules and packs for electric vehicles. The companies are focusing on developing a standardized battery module solution. This solution is intended for use by automakers on various electric vehicle platforms in the future. ProLogium will supply the solid-state cells, which OPmobility will then test. OPmobility will also handle the design, development, and manufacturing of the resulting battery modules. Technical Validation of Entire Battery Architectures In the industry, solid-state batteries are regarded as a potential key technology for future electric vehicles. The potential benefits include improved range, charging efficiency, and safety. However, achieving these characteristics in the vehicle does not depend solely on the cell. The integration of these components at the module and pack levels is also crucial. This is precisely where the collaboration comes in. The two companies aim to investigate how the advantages of individual cells can be translated into concrete battery architectures. Their goal is to provide automakers with more reliable data on the performance of such systems. At the same time, they intend to accelerate the development of integrated solutions. According to the companies, the memorandum of understanding aims to establish joint testing and engineering standards. The process will begin with performance tests and the development of battery modules. Subsequently, vehicle integration will be based on these results. Source:https://prologium.com/prologium-and-opmobility-sign-mou-to-develop-next-generation-solid-state-battery-modules-for-mobility/https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/ev/opmobility-and-prologium-sign-mou-to-co-develop-next-gen-solid-state-battery-packs-2065725750249103361

According to a Reuters report, General Motors may change its plans for the batteries in its future electric vehicles.  The company’s head of batteries, Kurt Kelty, revealed that the U.S. automaker is considering excluding LFP cells from its EV portfolio. Previously, GM had announced plans to develop lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for future electric vehicle models. Production was scheduled to begin in late 2027 at a jointly operated plant in Tennessee. However, GM is now shifting its focus toward lithium-manganese-rich (LMR) batteries. The company apparently views this cell chemistry as the more important technology for higher production volumes. According to GM, LMR cells in the U.S. are expected to cost roughly the same as LFP cells but have a higher energy density. The Tennessee plant is set to begin producing LFP cells this month. However, these are intended for stationary energy storage, not electric vehicles. Strategy deviates from market trend Avoiding the use of LFP cells in electric vehicles would set GM apart from many competitors, who use LFP cells to reduce costs and offer more affordable electric vehicles. Several manufacturers use LFP cells to reduce costs and offer more affordable electric vehicles. These include Tesla, Rivian, and Ford. Chinese manufacturers adopted the technology on a large scale early on. LFP batteries are considered cheaper, more robust, and safer than many nickel-rich cell chemistries. However, their lower energy density can lead to shorter ranges. GM has used more powerful nickel-rich batteries in more than a dozen U.S. electric models so far. The new Chevrolet Bolt, on the other hand, is expected to use LFP cells from the Chinese company CATL. Source:https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/gm-may-ditch-lfp-batteries-future-evs-2026-06-10/

WLF Energy made its public market debut at the Battery Show Europe in Stuttgart. The company plans to establish a vertically integrated clean energy platform. This platform is designed to combine energy generation, storage, management, digital optimization, and trading into a single system. The goal is to eventually provide Europe with clean electricity for less than 0.10 euros per kilowatt-hour.  Battery technology lies at the heart of this strategy. Through vertical integration, WLF Energy aims to reduce the complexity of battery storage systems, eliminate inefficiencies in the value chain, and thereby enable drastically lower energy costs for consumers. The platform is designed for utility projects, as well as industrial, commercial, and residential applications. Acquisitions and partnerships aim to pool expertise A significant step is the acquisition of Cellovate GmbH and PEM Motion’s BMS business unit. PEM Motion intends to focus more strongly on battery testing, compliance, battery analysis, engineering services, training, and operations in the future. Through this acquisition, WLF Energy is acquiring expertise in the field of battery management systems. Additionally, WLF Energy announced a strategic partnership with Farasis Energy.  The storage platform is designed to form the technical core of WLF’s corporate strategy with safety, lifespan, and total cost of ownership in mind. Specifically, the company highlights batteries with more than 25,000 cycles, discharge rates up to 50C, AI-supported condition monitoring, and predictive maintenance. First grid connection expected in 2027 In terms of its commercial activities, WLF Energy has project pipelines in the renewable energy sector in the Nordic countries, as well as battery storage projects. The company has also signed a letter of intent to supply battery packs to a U.S. company that manufactures electric motorcycles. The first grid feed-ins are expected in the first quarter of 2027. Sources:https://de.finance.yahoo.com/nachrichten/wlf-energy-startet-europas-schneller-113000987.htmlhttps://www.pem-motion.com/de/post/wlf-energy-integrates-pem-motions-bms-business-unit-into-european-clean-energy-value-chain-platform

General Motors and Peak Energy plan to develop sodium-ion battery cells for stationary grid storage. This initiative is based on a strategic partnership that includes an investment by GM Ventures in Peak Energy. The goal is to deploy the cells in large-scale energy storage systems. The technology is expected to be ready for mass production in 2028 at the earliest. As part of the collaboration, GM will develop the sodium-ion cell in its Michigan battery laboratories. The company will also retain exclusive manufacturing rights. Peak Energy will then integrate the cells into its own energy storage systems. Passively Cooled Storage as a Cost Advantage According to Peak Energy, the company is focusing on passively cooled storage systems. These systems are designed to operate without the energy-intensive active cooling common in many lithium iron phosphate systems. Peak Energy claims its sodium-ion systems could reduce storage costs by 20 percent compared to conventional systems. GM Seeks Additional Uses for Battery Investments For GM, this move comes during a period of weaker electric vehicle sales in the U.S. The NYT reports that GM and other manufacturers have scaled back production of electric cars. Reasons for this include the expiration of tax incentives and heavy losses from previous investments in electric cars. Stationary storage systems could help automakers leverage their existing battery expertise more broadly. Tesla has been selling such systems since 2015, and Ford is planning large-scale battery storage projects as well. Sources:https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/business/energy-environment/general-motors-storage-batteries-electric-vehicles.htmlhttps://peakenergy.com/news/latest/gm-partnership

The Nissan Technical Centre Europe, the University of Oxford, and Gelion are launching a three-year development project to create lithium-sulfur-based solid-state batteries. The project, called “CoRe-SoLiS,” aims to develop a more cost-effective and robust battery chemistry for electric vehicles. According to the participants, the total project cost is £3.4 million. Of this amount, £2.4 million comes from the UK Battery Innovation Program. Gelion’s British subsidiary will receive £1.6 million. Sulfur replaces nickel and cobalt The focus is on Gelion’s Nano-Encapsulated Sulfur, or NES for short. This material is intended for use as a cathode component in future solid-state batteries. With this approach, Gelion aims to replace the nickel and cobalt currently used in lithium-ion cathodes. In the context of the project, sulfur is considered a cheaper, more widely available raw material. Gelion also states that NES can be incorporated into existing production lines. The project is geared toward automotive applications. Their goal is to develop a battery pack with high power, fast charging and discharging capabilities, high energy density, and a long service life. Nissan is contributing requirements regarding performance, safety, and manufacturability. The University of Oxford is contributing anode materials and cell expertise. Nissan links the project to its electrification strategy in Europe and its Sunderland facility. For Gelion, the project’s outcome is intended to support future scaling, manufacturing, and commercialization efforts. Source:https://gelion.com/news/nissan-collaboration/