Panasonic has signed a multi-year agreement to supply Zoox with cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells beginning in early 2026, securing a critical component for the autonomous ride-hailing company’s purpose-built robotaxi fleet. The deal will initially draw from Panasonic’s manufacturing operations in Japan, with plans to later incorporate production from its new Kansas facility.
Zoox, owned by Amazon, has been expanding its manufacturing capabilities, including the recent opening of a serial production site in Hayward, California, to build its autonomous vehicles at scale. The company is currently operating driverless services in Las Vegas and expects demand to rise as it deploys more vehicles. “Zoox is reshaping urban transportation,” Panasonic Energy CEO Kazuo Tadanobu said, adding that the company aims to support “a safer, more sustainable, and connected future.”
See also: Zoox Begins Limited Public Access to Robotaxis in San Francisco
The agreement centers on Panasonic’s 2170 cylindrical cells, known for their high energy density and reliability—qualities deemed essential for fully autonomous electric vehicles. Panasonic Energy highlighted the safety record of the cells, noting approximately 20 billion global shipments and zero recalls attributed to battery performance. The company said the technology has powered the equivalent of roughly four million electric vehicles worldwide.
Zoox executives cited component quality as critical to scaling its fleet. “Their commitment to innovation and quality aligns well with our mission,” said Bruce Baumgartner, Zoox’s vice president of supply chain. The partnership, he added, will be instrumental as the company continues expanding its autonomous mobility services.
See also: Zoox Partners with Sphere Las Vegas as Official Autonomous Ride-Hail Provider
The deal comes as the autonomous vehicle sector undergoes rapid growth, driven by policy support in U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami. Market estimates from Grand View Research valued the U.S. autonomous robotaxi sector at USD 0.45 billion in 2024, with projections of more than 70 percent compound annual growth through 2030 and global market potential of USD 40–50 billion by the end of the decade.
