Author: Nathan Reed

CATL has launched its next-generation Tectrans II commercial vehicle battery solution in Germany, offering up to 1,000 kilometres of claimed range for heavy-duty electric trucks as the Chinese battery manufacturer expands its commercial vehicle technology portfolio. The company unveiled the system at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover on September 14, targeting the range, charging and operating-cost requirements of long-haul transportation. The highest-capacity heavy-duty configuration can provide up to 1,000 kilometres of range and charge to 80% in 25 minutes using megawatt-level charging, according to CATL. Modular Battery Platform Targets Multiple Applications Tectrans II is built around a modular architecture that…

R3 Lithium has begun producing lithium carbonate from recycled battery materials at its facility in Covington, Georgia, marking the start of a transition toward continuous commercial operations at the site. The existing facility is designed to produce up to 2,500 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually. R3 Lithium acquired the approximately 14,300-square-metre site in July 2026 and plans to invest $15 million from its Series A financing round to upgrade the facility for continuous production. Georgia Facility Uses Recycled Battery Feedstock The Covington facility was previously owned by Ascend Elements, which invested around $150 million in the site before becoming insolvent,…

Chinese thermal management specialist XD Thermal has developed an integrated battery cooling architecture for an unspecified European electric bus platform, according to the company. The system combines liquid cooling with the battery housing and is designed to reduce component requirements while supporting different battery sizes and configurations. The electric bus platform uses battery modules with a capacity of 35.3 kWh. XD Thermal supplies liquid-cooled battery housings featuring stamped cover plates, allowing heat to be dissipated from both sides of the battery modules. Cooling Integrated Into Battery Housing Unlike conventional systems that use separate cooling plates, XD Thermal integrates parts of…

U.S. battery developer Lyten has signed a letter of intent to acquire insolvent Norwegian battery cell manufacturer Morrow Batteries, potentially preserving battery production and technology activities at Morrow’s site in Arendal. The proposed transaction is being pursued with Innovation Norway and Morrow’s insolvency administrators. The move follows Lyten’s recent acquisition of remaining assets from Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt and forms part of the company’s plans to establish a European battery production base. Lyten Selected as Preferred Bidder Morrow Batteries entered insolvency proceedings earlier this year covering Morrow Batteries ASA, Morrow Technologies AS and Morrow Industrialisation Center AS. Innovation Norway and…

SK Innovation plans to merge with subsidiary SK IE Technology (SKIET), bringing its lithium-ion battery separator business back under the parent company as part of a broader corporate restructuring. Merger Planned for January 2027 The merger is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, subject to approval by the SK Innovation board of directors and SKIET general meeting, expected on November 24. https://evmagz.com/sk-innovation-to-merge-sk-on-and-sk-enmove-to-strengthen-ev-battery-business/ Procedural steps will be completed ahead of the effective date, with new SK Innovation shares issued as part of the transaction scheduled to be listed on January 18, 2027. Following the merger, SKIET will cease to…

Addionics has introduced a three-dimensional battery architecture designed to reduce performance losses in lithium-ion batteries at low temperatures. The Tel Aviv-based company says its Smart 3D Porous Current Collectors could improve cold-weather performance across electric vehicles, heavy trucks, defence drones and space systems. 3D Current Collectors Target Low-Temperature Losses Addionics says conventional lithium-ion batteries can experience significant reductions in usable performance during severe winter conditions. For electric vehicles, the company estimates that range can fall by as much as 40% in such conditions as the battery must provide energy for propulsion while also supporting cabin heating, battery heating and thermal…

Anthro Energy has begun construction of its first commercial electrolyte manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky, as the company moves to establish a domestic supply of advanced battery materials in the United States. The facility is expected to begin commercial production in late 2027 and will have an annual capacity of approximately 12,000 tonnes of electrolyte, enough to support battery cell production with total capacity of up to 25 GWh. The project is expected to create around 110 permanent jobs. Kentucky Facility Targets US Battery Supply Chain The groundbreaking marks the construction phase of a project Anthro Energy first announced in…

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…