InoBat, in collaboration with its Chinese investor and partner Gotion High-Tech, is set to manufacture battery cells for Lilium’s electric jets at its Volta I and Volta II plants in Voderady, Slovakia. This strategic move follows Gotion High-Tech’s signing of a “pre-joint venture agreement” with Slovakian battery company InoBat in September, aiming to establish a joint battery cell factory in Europe.
Gotion High-Tech, the world’s eighth-largest battery cell manufacturer and a key supplier to the Volkswagen Group, holds a 25% stake in InoBat. This significant investment positions Gotion to provide essential resources and manufacturing expertise, particularly for the upcoming Volta II gigafactory in Slovakia, with an annual production capacity of up to 4 GWh.
The collaboration with InoBat is part of Gotion High-Tech’s broader European activities, which include serving as a technology partner for the PowerCo battery cell factory in Germany. InoBat, based in Bratislava, specializes in research and development, leveraging artificial intelligence and innovative process technology to expedite the development of intelligent batteries for the European market.
Lilium, the Munich-based electric flying taxi startup, has opted for a multiple-sourcing strategy for cell production. In extending its partnership with InoBat, Lilium aims to ensure reliable volume production of battery cells for its aircraft program. Yves Yemsi, Lilium’s COO, stated, “We expect that multiple cell suppliers will support our aircraft program, with the aim to ensure a reliable volume production of battery cells for years to come.”
This collaboration aligns with Lilium’s broader efforts, including its recent partnership with EMCJET for private sales of Lilium jets in the US market. EMCJET will serve as the exclusive Lilium dealer in Texas for private sales until 2030. In July, Lilium raised $150 million in capital, securing backing from a German investor who invested $75 million.
