Author: James Carter

Germany’s Fraunhofer Research and Development Center for Electromobility (FZEB) has launched a new collaborative project aimed at improving the recycling of lithium-ion batteries by directly recovering functional materials from end-of-life cells. The project, called ProBatman, focuses on developing processes to reclaim cathode materials without breaking them down into basic elements, a method intended to preserve value and reduce environmental impact. The initiative is coordinated by Netzsch-Gerätebau GmbH and involves partners from industry and academia, including BMW and the University of Würzburg. See also: Fraunhofer Spin-Off Syvairo Targets Energy Cuts in Battery Cell Production With Mobile Cleanroom Concept According to the…

Serbian battery manufacturer ElevenEs said it has secured an undisclosed investment in the first tranche of its Series B funding round to support construction of a planned 1 GWh production facility, with building work expected to begin as early as February 2026. The funding includes participation from Caterpillar Venture Capital, a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S.-based equipment maker Caterpillar, and an investment arm of Hong Kong–based BST. The company did not disclose the size of the investment or whether other investors joined the round. See also: Serbian Battery Maker ElevenEs Introduces Fast-Charging LFP Cell for Electric Vehicles ElevenEs said the…

Chinese automaker Changan plans to begin installing solid-state batteries in vehicles for testing before the third quarter of 2026, with mass production scheduled to start in 2027, according to an update filed with the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The batteries, part of Changan’s “Golden Bell” lineup, are expected to deliver an energy density of about 400 Wh/kg and enable driving ranges of up to 1,500 kilometres in battery-electric vehicles, figures previously outlined to investors in 2025 and now described in more concrete deployment terms. Changan said the cells will be introduced initially in robots and electric vehicles as part of validation…

Samsung SDI said it has developed a new electrolyte designed to improve the safety and durability of lithium-metal batteries, a next-generation technology widely viewed as a potential successor to conventional lithium-ion cells. The South Korean battery maker described the advance as a breakthrough achieved through a joint research effort involving its domestic R&D centre, its U.S. subsidiary SDI R&D America, and Columbia University. The teams created a fluorine-based gel-polymer electrolyte that forms a stable protective layer on the anode, reducing the growth of lithium dendrites—needle-like deposits that can cause internal short circuits. Dendrite formation has long been a critical obstacle…

European battery manufacturer Automotive Cells Company (ACC) has warned that slower-than-expected growth in electric vehicle demand is undermining the business case for new battery factories in Europe, urging stronger policy support to safeguard the region’s industrial independence. In a detailed statement addressed to public authorities and private stakeholders, the company said European automakers face “high uncertainty” due to volatile demand and intense competition from Chinese manufacturers. ACC supplies battery cells to Stellantis and counts Mercedes-Benz among its shareholders, though Stellantis remains the only customer currently sourcing cells from its operational plant in Douvrin, France. See also: ACC Drops Plans for…

QuantumScape said it has officially launched its Eagle Line production facility in San Jose, California, marking a key step toward commercial-scale manufacturing of its solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles. The facility, inaugurated on Feb. 4, was unveiled during an event attended by automotive original equipment manufacturers, technology partners, government representatives and media. QuantumScape said the Eagle Line is designed as a full manufacturing blueprint, integrating proprietary equipment, materials and automated processes tailored to its solid-state battery technology. See also: QuantumScape Signs Development Deal With Top-10 Automaker, Expanding Solid-State Battery Push At the core of the line is QuantumScape’s Cobra…

Sunwoda said it has reached a settlement with Vremt, resolving a battery quality dispute that had weighed on the outlook of the Chinese battery maker as it pursues a Hong Kong listing. In a filing on Friday, Sunwoda said Vremt will withdraw its lawsuit once the settlement agreement takes effect. The company expects the agreement to reduce its 2025 net income attributable to shareholders by between 500 million yuan ($72 million) and 800 million yuan. See also: Sunwoda Unveils New Generation Solid-State Battery With 400 Wh/kg Energy Density Sunwoda disclosed in December that its subsidiary, Sunwoda Electric Vehicle Battery Co…

Stellantis is struggling to meet planned electric vehicle production targets due to battery supply constraints at its partner Automotive Cells Company (ACC), according to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg. Supply issues at ACC’s battery cell factory in Douvrin, northern France, are expected to delay deliveries of several electric models, the news agency reported. ACC is currently able to equip only around 1,000 vehicles per month with battery cells, far below its original production targets, Bloomberg said, citing informed sources. The report added that ACC has brought in a team of experts from China in an effort to…

China’s CATL has disclosed initial performance details of its next-generation 5C electric vehicle batteries, saying the cells are designed to last up to 1.8 million kilometres even under repeated ultra-fast-charging conditions. In a short video titled “5C Charging: 1,000,000 KM Made Easy”, CATL said the batteries are engineered to retain at least 80% of their original capacity after roughly 3,000 charge–discharge cycles, equivalent to about 1.8 million kilometres, when tested at around 20 degrees Celsius. The company said the results were achieved primarily under fast-charging use. See also: CATL Begins Deploying Sodium-Ion Batteries in Passenger Cars, Report Says CATL added…

Dongfeng Motor has begun winter testing of electric vehicle prototypes equipped with solid-state batteries, marking a further step toward the planned industrialisation of the technology, according to Chinese media reports. The prototypes, understood to be based on the Dongfeng 007 sedan, are fitted with solid-state cells offering an energy density of 350 watt-hours per kilogram. Dongfeng has said it aims to begin mass production of batteries at this energy density by September 2026. The first series application, however, is expected to be deployed under Dongfeng’s premium electric brand Voyah, rather than the core Dongfeng marque. As recently as February 2025,…

Tesla’s efforts to scale production of its 4680 battery cells have encountered new challenges as demand for the Cybertruck remains below initial expectations, according to a report by Bloomberg. The battery technology, unveiled in 2020 as a cornerstone of Tesla’s long-term cost and production strategy, was intended to support higher-volume vehicle manufacturing and a future lower-priced electric model. See also: Tesla Opens Engineering Review Into Cybertruck Windshield Wiper Performance One supplier affected by the slowdown is South Korea’s L&F, which had signed a supply agreement linked to the 4680 battery program. The company ultimately delivered only limited volumes, as development…

Seat and Cupra inaugurated a new battery system assembly plant in Martorell, Spain, marking a key step in the Volkswagen Group’s push to localise electric vehicle production and position Spain as a hub for small electric cars in Europe. Built with an investment of 300 million euros ($325 million), the facility spans 64,000 square metres and is capable of assembling one battery system every 45 seconds, or up to 300,000 units per year. From 2026, the plant will exclusively supply battery systems for the Cupra Raval and the Volkswagen ID. Polo, which are due to enter series production next year.…