Panasonic is preparing to mass produce large-format 4680 battery cells for Tesla, and facing new manufacturing challenges as part of that process, the head of the company's new consolidated battery division in a recent interview with Nikkei Asia. "In terms of product development, the technological goals have largely been achieved," Kazuo Tadanobu...
Fisker and CATL on Tuesday announced a battery-supply deal for the Fisker Ocean electric SUV, which Fisker said is on track for a November 2022 production start. Under the terms of the agreement, CATL will supply two battery packs for the Ocean and a total of 5 gigawatt-hours of cells annually from 2023 to 2025, Fisker said in a press release. The...
Chinese battery supplier CATL and Hyundai Mobis on Wednesday announced a partnership and license agreement for CATL's cell-to-pack technology. Cell-to-pack refers to the direct integration of cells into a battery pack, without the modules used in most current pack designs. The deal will allow for use of this tech in electric cars and other...
Some people and businesses seeking to use solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles find they can’t because utility equipment needs an upgrade.
Panasonic on Monday unveiled a prototype large-format 4680 cylindrical battery cell for Tesla, The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reported. The electronics giant and primary Tesla battery supplier is aiming to start test production as early as March. It marks an important step for Tesla's future battery plans, and an about face of...
Apple is seeking lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for its much-discussed EV project, but talks with major suppliers BYD and CATL have stalled, Reuters reported Friday. Talks with the two Chinese firms, which were first confirmed by White House economic advisor Jared Bernstein earlier this year, were halted over Apple's request for dedicated...
After switching to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells for Chinese-market Model 3 and Model Y electric cars, Tesla plans to expand use of the cells to global markets—with local production. Tesla said in its third-quarter earnings report released Wednesday that LFP chemistry will be used in all standard-range vehicles globally. That...
As it prepares to launch a handful of electric vehicles, Stellantis on Monday confirmed a joint venture with LG Energy Solution for North American battery production. A memorandum of understanding between the two companies calls for a a factory to produce battery cells and modules, which will be supplied to Stellantis assembly plants in the United...
Global nickel demand could outstrip supply within the next few years, potentially limiting EV battery supplies, according to a new report from the Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy. First spotted by E&E News, the report predicts that by 2024 annual global demand for nickel will rise from the current 2.5 million metric tons (2.7 million tons)...
Startup Electric Last Mile Solutions (ELMS) this week announced two new battery partnerships. Chinese battery supplier CATL will provide its cell-to-pack technology to startup ELMS for use in its Indiana-assembled electric delivery vans. ELMS is also partnering with startup Ample to use the latter's modular battery-swapping system. A...
Colorado-based Solid Power, the solid-state battery firm backed by Ford and BMW, claims that third-party safety tests show its battery tech to be safer than current lithium-ion chemistry. The tests, with results released Wednesday, aimed simulate abuse and damage to its prototype solid-state battery cells. Those cells use a sulfide-based solid...
An ingredient used to flavor whiskey and make fertilizer could soon play an important role in EV batteries, researcher at Estonia's Tartu University say. Reported recently by Reuters, the research indicates that peat could be used to lower the cost of sodium-ion batteries for electric cars, potentially providing an alternative to the currently...
General Motors has recalled 141,000 Bolts to replace battery packs that can catch on fire because of manufacturing defects.
While its C.E.O., Elon Musk, and the state’s conservative lawmakers share libertarian sensibilities, they differ greatly on climate change and renewable energy.
While its C.E.O., Elon Musk, and the state’s conservative lawmakers share libertarian sensibilities, they differ greatly on climate change and renewable energy.
G.M. hopes to develop ride-hailing services that use autonomous cars, create insurance products and expand its defense contracting work.
Tesla is continuing its trade secrets fight with Rivian, alleging that the electric-truck hopeful poached employees and stole "highly proprietary" battery technology, according to a Bloomberg report. The Silicon Valley firm filed a lawsuit against Rivian 14 months ago, but claims the company has continued poaching its staff, and using them to...
General Motors sees a future of 600-mile EVs, enabled by advances that will double energy density, while it also targets a 60% cost reduction by mid-decade. On Tuesday GM announced another step it sees as essential for making that happen: an “innovation center” for battery technology, with the aim of accelerating development and...
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said battery fires in Tesla’s electric vehicles when no crash was involved were “rare events.”
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore) have proposed a new way to prevent fires in lithium-ion batteries. As reported by photovoltaics industry trade journal PV Magazine, the researchers have tested a so-called "anti-short layer," which is an extra layer of material on the separator between the cathode and anode...
