Author: Nathan Reed

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…

B2U Storage Solutions and autonomous mobility company Waymo have entered into a strategic partnership to repurpose batteries from Waymo’s electric vehicle fleet for stationary energy storage applications. The agreement will see retired battery packs from Waymo vehicles redeployed into grid-connected battery energy storage systems (BESS), extending their operational life after they are no longer suitable for automotive use. The companies said the second-life batteries will support electricity grids in markets including California and Texas, where Waymo already operates autonomous ride-hailing services. Extending Battery Lifecycles Lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles are typically retired from transportation applications when their usable capacity…

Volkswagen is reportedly set to add Samsung SDI as a supplier of its Unified Cell battery technology, expanding the supply base for the standardized battery format that underpins the automaker’s electric vehicle strategy. According to a report from South Korean publication The Elec, Samsung SDI has secured a major battery supply agreement with Volkswagen Group to manufacture Unified Cells for the automaker’s electric vehicles. Neither Volkswagen nor Samsung SDI has publicly confirmed the reported deal. The Unified Cell was introduced during Volkswagen’s Power Day event in 2021 as part of the group’s plan to standardize battery technology across a wide…

Arkema will present its latest battery materials portfolio at Battery Show Europe 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany, highlighting technologies designed to improve the performance, safety and sustainability of electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage system (ESS) batteries. The French specialty materials company said it will showcase developments across battery cell, separator and battery pack applications, with a particular focus on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technologies. Arkema plans to feature its Kynar PVDF binder portfolio, including the newly developed Kynar HSV 1200 and HSV 1400 grades, which are designed to improve adhesion, reduce binder loading and increase active material content to…

Nexeon, a UK-based developer of silicon-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, has received an investment from Honda through the automaker’s Honda Xcelerator Ventures programme. The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction. Nexeon said the funding will support ongoing development and commercialisation activities related to its silicon anode technology. Honda Joins Nexeon’s Investor Group The investment was made through Honda Xcelerator Ventures, Honda’s global open innovation initiative focused on emerging technologies and startup partnerships. Nexeon was established as a spin-out from Imperial College London more than 20 years ago and has previously raised funding from a range…

Taiwanese solid-state battery developer ProLogium plans to go public in the United States through a merger with special purpose acquisition company Translational Development Acquisition Corp. (TDAC), a move designed to help finance the company’s expansion plans and battery manufacturing facility under construction in northern France. The proposed transaction will see ProLogium merge with the Nasdaq-listed SPAC, allowing the company to access public capital markets without pursuing a traditional initial public offering. Following completion of the deal, the combined company is expected to operate under the name ProLogium Technology and trade on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker symbol PRLG. The…

DHL Supply Chain has begun construction of a 17,000-square-metre European Battery Logistics Hub in Holtum, the Netherlands, focused on handling high-voltage batteries for electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems. The facility is scheduled to become operational in early 2027 and will be co-located with DHL’s existing automotive logistics operations in Holtum, creating what the company described as an integrated e-mobility and energy systems campus. DHL Supply Chain said the site will provide a range of battery-related services including storage, diagnostics, testing, charging and conditioning, refurbishment, reverse logistics and recycling preparation. According to the company, combining technical battery services with…

General Motors and Samsung SDI have paused construction work on their planned $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant in New Carlisle as weakening U.S. electric vehicle demand raises uncertainty around large-scale battery investments. The facility, first announced in 2023, was initially designed to produce nickel-rich prismatic battery cells with planned annual capacity of 30 GWh, later expected to expand to 36 GWh. The plant was projected to supply battery packs for as many as 300,000 electric vehicles per year. However, slowing EV demand in the United States and changes to federal EV incentives have pressured automakers to reassess investment plans…

Basquevolt has launched its BQV400L battery cell, a lithium-metal battery developed for automotive and industrial applications that the company says delivers one of the highest energy densities currently available from European production. The battery developer, which was founded in 2022 and is based in Spain’s Basque Country region, said the new cell is available immediately and represents the fourth generation of its lithium-metal battery technology. Basquevolt is backed by the Basque regional government alongside companies including Iberdrola, CIE Automotive, Enagás, EIT InnoEnergy and CIC energiGUNE. The BQV400L uses an NMC cathode, a lithium-metal anode and what Basquevolt describes as a…

Ganfeng Lithium said it has started small-scale production of solid-state batteries with an energy density of 500 watt-hours per kilogram, marking a new milestone in the development of next-generation lithium-metal battery technology. The company disclosed the update in minutes from an investor relations meeting released on Wednesday. According to Ganfeng, the product is the world’s first 10 ampere-hour solid-state battery to achieve an energy density of 500 Wh/kg, a level the company said could help accelerate future commercialization of lithium-metal batteries. The company also reported progress in testing of a separate 400 Wh/kg solid-state battery cell. Ganfeng said the battery…

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed an artificial intelligence-based charging method designed to reduce battery degradation in electric vehicles while maintaining current fast-charging speeds. The research team said the new approach could extend battery lifespan by almost 23% compared with conventional fast-charging methods without significantly increasing charging times. The study focused on improving DC fast charging, which is widely used for electric vehicles but is also known to accelerate battery wear more quickly than slower AC charging systems. “For taxis or heavy vehicles in industry, for example, access to fast charging means a lot, but this is also…

CATL has started assembling battery modules at its newly built facility in Debrecen, Hungary, marking another step forward in the company’s European expansion strategy as it prepares to begin test production of battery cells at the site. The Chinese battery manufacturer announced plans for the Debrecen factory in 2022, with the project intended to supply battery cells and modules to European automotive manufacturers. CATL said at the time that the investment would total 7.34 billion euros across several development phases. Mercedes-Benz was identified as the first major customer for the plant, while media reports have also linked BMW to the…