Author: Nathan Reed

Researchers at TU Graz have developed a method to significantly improve the ionic conductivity of lithium titanate, a battery anode material used alongside graphite in lithium-ion batteries. By deliberately creating oxygen vacancies in the material’s crystal lattice, the researchers activated a lithium-ion migration pathway that is normally blocked in untreated lithium titanate. The study focuses on lithium titanate with the composition Li4Ti5O12, which has relatively poor lithium-ion conductivity in its original, non-lithiated state. The researchers found that modifying its atomic structure can substantially improve ion mobility without changing its basic chemical composition. https://evmagz.com/tu-graz-researchers-develop-wood-based-ev-battery-housing-that-outperforms-tesla-standard/ Oxygen Vacancies Activate Lithium-Ion Pathway Researchers Bernhard…

Schaeffler and CATL have agreed to jointly develop battery management systems and integrated power electronics for electric vehicles, with the initial focus on the European automotive market. The collaboration builds on an existing customer project already secured by the two companies, although they have not disclosed the customer or planned series-production timeline. Joint Development Covers BMS and Integrated Electronics The German automotive supplier and Chinese battery manufacturer have signed a letter of intent covering two main areas: battery management systems (BMS) and X-in-1 Integrated PowerBox (IPB) solutions. https://evmagz.com/schaeffler-showcases-integrated-energy-management-technologies-for-next-generation-evs/ The Integrated PowerBox concept is designed to combine multiple high-voltage electronic and…

LG Energy Solution has started production at its battery plant in Lansing, Michigan, converting a facility originally planned as the third battery factory for the General Motors-LG Energy Solution joint venture into a multi-customer site serving electric vehicles and stationary energy storage. The 91.5-hectare facility is expected to reach annual production capacity of more than 35 GWh at full capacity. LGES said it has invested more than $2 billion in the site since 2022. The plant currently employs around 900 people, with the workforce expected to increase to as many as 1,700. https://evmagz.com/lg-energy-solution-expands-nanjing-battery-output-as-tesla-demand-grows/ Lansing Facility Changes From GM Project to…

CATL said it achieved carbon neutrality across its core operations by the end of 2025 and has begun implementing a strategy to reach carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2035. The world’s largest power battery maker said the next phase will focus primarily on reducing emissions throughout its supply chain. CATL made the announcement at an Aug. 17 event in Ningde, Fujian province, where the company is headquartered. It said it was the first battery manufacturer to achieve carbon neutrality in core operations while operating at TWh-scale battery shipment volumes. Zero-Carbon Electricity Covers Core Operations CATL said 20 of…

CALB expects net profit for the six months ended June 30, 2026, to be approximately RMB1.506 billion to RMB1.581 billion, an increase of about 100% to 110% from approximately RMB753 million in the same period a year earlier. The company said the expected year-on-year increase was mainly related to an expanding customer base and new application scenarios, as well as higher volumes of new products for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and energy storage. Power Battery Business Expands Customer Base CALB said its power battery customer base continued to expand during the first half of 2026, while several products increased their…

Chinese battery manufacturer CALB is overhauling its quality and safety systems following widespread swelling and other failures involving lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells used in GAC Aion vehicles. The Hong Kong-listed battery maker has introduced changes covering manufacturing tolerances, process traceability, validation procedures, organisational responsibilities and customer quality management, according to a report by Chinese media outlet Auto Time. The measures follow incidents involving 177-Ah LFP cells supplied by CALB for Aion S vehicles, with some batteries reportedly developing problems after between 150,000 and 300,000 kilometres of operation. CALB Tightens Manufacturing Standards CALB has tightened controls over electrode production,…

BYD has filed six new patents covering materials, cell structures and manufacturing techniques for solid-state batteries, adding to the Chinese automaker’s efforts to develop next-generation battery technology for electric vehicles. The filings focus heavily on improving the interface between electrodes and solid electrolytes, an area that remains critical to the performance and durability of solid-state cells. The developments come as Chinese media reports that BYD is targeting small-scale production of dual-electrolyte solid-state cells in 2027, although the automaker has not officially confirmed that timetable. Patents Target Electrolyte And Cathode Stability Four of the patents address battery materials and chemistry. One…

Factorial Energy and Dutch battery specialist Tulip Tech have formed a strategic partnership to commercialise solid-state and lithium-metal battery technology for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The companies aim to accelerate the adoption of next-generation batteries for drone applications across commercial, industrial and defence markets. Partnership Targets Drone Battery Commercialisation The agreement follows flight tests that, according to the companies, demonstrated more than a 30% increase in flight range compared with conventional lithium-ion battery technology. The partnership will establish a commercialisation framework covering joint customer engagement, product development and a roadmap toward large-scale production. For Factorial Energy, the collaboration marks an…

Europe’s dependence on Asian battery manufacturers increased further in 2025, with 77% of electric vehicle battery cells produced in Asia, up from 70% a year earlier, according to a new study by Deloitte. The report highlights Europe’s continued reliance on Asian suppliers, particularly Chinese manufacturers such as CATL, even as governments and automakers seek to build a domestic battery industry. Europe Faces Growing Battery Dependence Deloitte estimates that European battery companies could miss out on around €10.5 billion in profits over the next four years if battery cells used in electric vehicles manufactured in Europe continue to be sourced largely…

China has introduced a new national standard designed to improve transparency around electric vehicle battery health, establishing standardised methods for measuring battery degradation and limiting the difference between displayed and actual battery capacity. The voluntary standard, GB/T 46991.1-2025, was jointly developed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the Standardisation Administration of China (SAC). Although published on 31 December 2025, it officially entered into force on 1 July 2026. https://evmagz.com/cpcas-cui-says-chinas-battery-tax-will-encourage-automakers-to-expand-in-house-cell-production/ Standardised Battery Health Measurement The regulation introduces a new metric known as the State of Available Energy (SOCE), which measures the remaining usable energy of a traction…

Xiaomi EV, the electric vehicle subsidiary of Xiaomi, said its July deliveries exceeded 30,000 vehicles, marking the fourth consecutive month the company has surpassed that level. The company did not disclose an exact delivery figure or provide a breakdown by model. Deliveries Remain Above 30,000 Xiaomi EV has now reported monthly deliveries of more than 30,000 units for four straight months using the same wording in its announcements. https://evmagz.com/xiaomi-opens-pre-sales-for-sky-nomad-n90-max-and-n70-max-erev-suvs/ Detailed monthly sales figures are expected to be released later by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). For comparison, Xiaomi EV delivered 30,452 vehicles in July 2025, suggesting year-on-year growth may…

Factorial Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with battery manufacturer SK On to evaluate the manufacturing potential of next-generation solid-state batteries using existing lithium-ion production infrastructure. The collaboration brings together Factorial’s solid-state battery technology and commercialization expertise with SK On’s global manufacturing network as the companies explore pathways for large-scale production. https://evmagz.com/factorial-completes-spac-merger-begins-trading-on-nasdaq-at-1-3-billion-valuation/ Companies Explore Scalable Solid-State Battery Production Under the agreement, Factorial and SK On will jointly assess the technical feasibility and manufacturing requirements for Factorial’s FEST solid-state battery technology. The study will examine how SK On’s existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities could support the future production of…

BMW Group will begin series production of its sixth-generation (Gen6) high-voltage batteries at its new Woodruff, South Carolina, plant in December, supporting the launch of the all-electric BMW iX5 for North American and export markets. The battery assembly facility will supply packs for the iX5, which will be manufactured at BMW’s nearby Spartanburg plant before being sold in North America and exported to Europe. The project forms part of the automaker’s “Local for Local” manufacturing strategy, which aims to locate battery production close to vehicle assembly. https://evmagz.com/bmw-unveils-long-wheelbase-electric-ix5-for-chinese-market/ AI and Cell-to-Pack Technology Drive Production The Woodruff plant will manufacture BMW’s Gen6…

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a €100 million loan to support Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech’s planned battery production facility in Morocco, marking a significant step toward establishing Africa’s first integrated battery manufacturing plant. The financing will help develop the factory in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Free Trade Zone, where Gotion intends to manufacture lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells and battery packs for electric vehicles. https://evmagz.com/gotion-chery-and-green-power-morocco-plan-2000-km-ev-freight-corridor-linking-africa-and-europe/ Initial Production Capacity Set at 10GWh The project will be led by Gotion Power Morocco, a wholly owned subsidiary of Gotion High-Tech. According to the African Development Bank, the facility’s first development phase…

CATL reported a sharp increase in first-half earnings and announced plans for a share buyback of up to 40 billion yuan, as the world’s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer posted higher revenue across its core businesses. The company said net profit attributable to shareholders reached 43.28 billion yuan ($6.37 billion) during the first six months of 2026, an increase of 41.98% from the same period a year earlier. Revenue rose 54.80% year over year to 276.92 billion yuan, supported by continued growth in both its power battery and energy storage operations. Battery and Energy Storage Businesses Drive Growth CATL’s power…

Researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum, the Helmholtz Institute Ulm and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have identified a previously unconfirmed mechanism that contributes to the aging of lithium-metal batteries, revealing that lithium ions become permanently trapped within the copper current collector during battery operation. The findings, published in Advanced Energy Materials, suggest that this hidden lithium loss may play a larger role in battery capacity degradation than previously recognized, particularly in next-generation lithium-metal and anode-free battery technologies. Lithium Becomes Trapped in Copper Collector Using atom probe tomography, the research team directly observed lithium ions penetrating the copper current collector during…

CATL has signed an agreement with renewable energy company Solarpro to supply 2 GWh of its Tener Sodium energy storage systems, expanding the deployment of sodium-ion battery technology in Europe. The Chinese battery manufacturer said the partnership will support what the companies describe as Central and Eastern Europe’s first large-scale sodium-ion energy storage project, with deployment scheduled to begin this year. https://evmagz.com/catl-signs-first-european-deal-for-sodium-ion-energy-storage-systems/ Second European Sodium-Ion Agreement The Solarpro agreement marks CATL’s second sodium-ion energy storage partnership announced in Europe this month. Last week, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Dutch energy solutions provider Alfen NV to deploy 5…

U.S. battery materials company Sila has raised $300 million in private funding to expand production of its silicon-carbon (Si/C) anode technology, with the investment supporting additional manufacturing capacity at its facility in Moses Lake, Washington. The California-based company said the funding will be used to increase production of its Titan Silicon anode material and advance the second phase of expansion at the Moses Lake plant, which began operations in late 2025. https://evmagz.com/battery-startup-sila-opens-first-large-scale-silicon-anode-plant-in-u-s/ Funding Supports Manufacturing Expansion Sila said its Moses Lake facility currently has an annual production capacity equivalent to battery materials for approximately 2 GWh of batteries. The company…

Sumitomo Chemical is preparing to commercialize a new halide-based electrolyte for solid-state batteries, aiming to reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining the high performance required for next-generation electric vehicle batteries, according to Nikkei. The Japanese company said the material has been developed in collaboration with Kyoto University and Tottori University as an alternative to conventional sulphide- and oxide-based solid electrolytes that currently dominate solid-state battery research. https://evmagz.com/chinas-hylic-starts-operations-at-liquid-solid-state-battery-factory-in-jiangsu/ Halide Electrolyte Designed to Lower Production Costs The newly developed electrolyte is based on halide materials that include chlorine and is designed to deliver ionic conductivity comparable to sulphide electrolytes, which are widely regarded…

China will begin imposing a consumption tax on lithium-ion batteries from Sept. 1, 2026, ending an 11-year tax exemption for the country’s dominant battery technology while introducing temporary tax exemptions for several next-generation battery technologies. The policy was jointly announced by the Ministry of Finance, the General Administration of Customs and the State Taxation Administration. Under the new rules, lithium-ion batteries, lithium primary batteries, mercury-free primary batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries and vanadium redox flow batteries will be subject to a 2% consumption tax beginning Sept. 1, 2026. The rate will increase to 4% from Sept. 1, 2027. Next-Generation Batteries Receive…