Volkswagen secures license for the series production of solid cells

Volkswagen, Europe's largest car manufacturer, is making progress in the introduction of solid cell technology, which is the next generation of e-car batteries. In cooperation with the US partner QuantumScape, VW has completed a license agreement that enables the group to produce solid cells for up to one million electric cars per year, as the VW battery subsidiary Powerco informed.

The production locations at which the technology could be introduced have not yet been mentioned because the technology is not yet ready for series production. Powerco is currently building batteries in Salzgitter, Valencia and Canada.

"Due to the agreement with QuantumScape, the Volkswagen Group will have access to this groundbreaking battery technology in the coming years," said VW technology board member Thomas Schmall. Powerco boss Frank Blome emphasized that VW with his know-how and global production network could bring the technology to series production.

The agreement enables Powerco an annual production capacity of up to 40 gigawatt hours (GWH) with the quantum cape technology, with the option to later double it to 80 GWh. This capacity would be sufficient to equip around one million electric vehicles a year.

Long -term partnership

The solid cell is considered a big step in battery development. In contrast to the conventional lithium-ion batteries, the solids use a fixed electrolyte, which offers advantages such as larger reach, faster charging and lower wear.

VW and quantum cape have been working together for years, with VW being the largest shareholder in the US company. The previously planned production of the solids in a joint venture is now replaced by the license agreement with Powerco.

Quantum cape boss Siva Sivaram sees the close cooperation with Powerco as an important step in the commercialization of solid cell technology.

Pioneer in the car industry

Other automobile manufacturers also invest in solid cell technology. With Solid Power, BMW is planning to build a pilot plant near Munich and wants to present a test vehicle by 2025. Nissan announced a pilot plant in Japan for 2024, while Toyota plans to bring the technology into a row by 2027.