Author: Nathan Reed

CATL’s planned battery cell production facility in Debrecen, Hungary, has fallen behind schedule, delaying local supply plans for European automakers including Mercedes-Benz and BMW, according to a report by Automobilwoche. The Chinese battery manufacturer announced the project in 2022 as its second European battery factory after its German facility in Arnstadt. The Debrecen site is intended to supply battery cells and modules to major automotive customers across Europe. Production Start Delayed CATL had previously targeted March or April 2026 for the start of series battery cell production at the Hungarian plant. However, Automobilwoche reported that battery cell manufacturing has not…

Altilium has raised approximately $1 million through a retail investment round that attracted participation from more than 750 investors, the UK-based battery recycling company said. The fundraising follows the award of an £18.5 million APC Drive35 grant earlier this year to support the development of the company’s ACT3 facility, which is intended to recover battery materials from end-of-life electric vehicle batteries. Retail Funding Supports Expansion Plans The investment round was launched in April as Altilium sought additional funding for its UK operations while engaging with communities in areas where the company is investing and operating. According to Altilium, the fundraising…

U.S. battery technology company Lyten is close to acquiring Northvolt’s unfinished battery factory site in Heide, northern Germany, after reaching an agreement in principle with state development bank KfW, the German federal government, and the state of Schleswig-Holstein, according to media reports. German news magazine Der Spiegel reported that the parties have agreed on a purchase price of around €60 million for the site, which was originally intended to host Northvolt’s large-scale battery cell manufacturing project. While the transaction has not yet been officially confirmed, it marks a significant step toward reviving one of Germany’s most high-profile battery investments following…

QuantumScape Corporation and Honda R&D Co., Ltd. have entered into a joint research agreement aimed at accelerating the development of next-generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries, deepening collaboration between the battery technology developer and one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers. The multi-year program will focus on advancing QuantumScape’s battery platform and associated manufacturing processes through combined research and engineering efforts from both companies. Partnership builds on successful evaluation The new agreement follows the completion of a technology evaluation program in which Honda conducted an extensive assessment of QuantumScape’s solid-state battery technology. According to the companies, the evaluation included detailed technical studies,…

A European research consortium led by academic and industry partners has developed an advanced battery management system (BMS) designed to provide significantly deeper insights into electric vehicle battery health, safety and ageing. The innovation was created under the EU- and Switzerland-funded Nemo project, which brought together researchers from TU Graz, the University of Brussels, Infineon Technologies Austria, engineering service provider IAV and several other partners. Moving beyond conventional battery monitoring Battery management systems play a critical role in monitoring traction batteries in electric vehicles. However, most commercially available systems rely primarily on voltage, current and temperature measurements, limiting their ability…

Ford is reportedly on track to begin series production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells in the United States, marking a significant milestone in the automaker’s efforts to reduce electric vehicle costs and expand domestic battery manufacturing. According to reports from CBT News and other industry sources, Ford has already begun producing so-called “D-Sample” battery cells at its BlueOval Battery Park Michigan facility in Marshall, Michigan. The cells are being manufactured using production-intent materials and are currently undergoing final validation and testing ahead of commercial production. LFP batteries targeted for next-generation EVs The batteries are expected to power Ford’s…

Austrian battery diagnostics company Aviloo has launched a new battery warranty programme for used electric vehicles, aiming to increase buyer confidence by combining independent battery testing with financial protection. The new offering provides compensation of up to €3,000 if a vehicle’s battery health falls below a predefined threshold during the warranty period. According to Aviloo, the warranty is designed to address one of the biggest concerns in the used EV market: uncertainty surrounding battery condition and long-term performance. Warranty Backed by Battery Diagnostics The battery warranty is linked to Aviloo’s independent battery testing services and forms part of the company’s…

CATL, the world’s largest electric vehicle battery manufacturer, has made its first investment in the nuclear fusion sector by leading a seed funding round for Chinese startup Beta Fusion, signaling a strategic expansion into one of the most closely watched future energy technologies. According to Chinese media reports citing people familiar with the transaction, the funding round was worth several hundred million yuan. The investment marks CATL’s debut in the nuclear fusion industry as the company continues to broaden its ambitions beyond battery manufacturing and energy storage. Fusion Startup Targets Commercial Power Generation Beta Fusion was established in December 2025…

Automotive engineering service provider IAV and semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia have joined forces to develop a new high-voltage architecture for electric vehicles that could significantly improve battery efficiency and performance. The collaboration, known as the ONE Inverter project, focuses on extracting more usable power from existing battery cells rather than relying solely on larger battery packs to increase vehicle performance and range. Moving Beyond Conventional Battery Management In traditional electric vehicle battery systems, the overall performance of a battery pack is often limited by its weakest cell. If a single cell experiences reduced performance, it can negatively affect the operation of…

Mercedes-Benz has begun series production of its new axial-flux electric motor at its Berlin-Marienfelde plant, marking a major milestone in the company’s efforts to advance high-performance electric vehicle technology. The start of production follows Mercedes-Benz’s acquisition of British electric motor specialist Yasa in 2021. Since then, the automaker has further developed the company’s axial-flux motor technology and prepared it for large-scale industrial production. Production is taking place at the Berlin-Marienfelde facility, where Mercedes-Benz has installed seven production lines across approximately 30,000 square metres and three manufacturing halls. The company described the development as a new chapter for its oldest operating…

AVILOO has appointed automotive industry veteran Brett Lippel as Chief Executive Officer of its North American operations, strengthening the company’s efforts to expand independent electric vehicle battery diagnostics across the United States. The Austria-based company, which specializes in manufacturer-independent battery testing for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, said Lippel will lead growth initiatives across dealerships, fleet operators, remarketing partners, and automotive manufacturers. The appointment comes as battery health becomes an increasingly important factor in the growing used EV market. Founded near Vienna in 2018, AVILOO launched its U.S. operations from Denver, Colorado, in 2024. The company provides battery diagnostic services…

Camel Energy GmbH, the European subsidiary of China’s Camel Group, has showcased its latest battery technologies at the Advanced Automotive Battery Conference (AABC) Europe 2026 in Mainz, Germany, underscoring its ambitions to expand its presence in the European battery supply chain. The company presented a portfolio of battery solutions covering lithium-ion and sodium-ion chemistries, including battery cells, battery management systems (BMS), and integrated battery pack technologies designed for automotive and mobility applications. Expanding Presence in Europe’s Battery Market Camel Energy GmbH used the AABC Europe event to engage directly with automotive manufacturers, battery developers, and industry stakeholders as the company…