Porsche is reportedly shifting its focus towards producing high-performance battery cells on a larger scale than previously planned. The German automaker is now expected to undertake this endeavor independently, as it has taken full control of the battery joint venture, the Cellforce Group, previously formed with partner Customcells. While official confirmation from both parties is still pending, insiders revealed this development to German business magazine Manager Magazin.
The magazine disclosed that the battery development and production facility in the Reutlingen-Nord/Kirchentellinsfurt region, initially intended for a capacity of 100 megawatts, will now be designed to produce 20 gigawatt hours annually. Previously, plans only mentioned an expansion to 1 gigawatt hour. With this significant increase in production capacity, Porsche aims to supply around 180,000 to 200,000 of its own electric vehicles per year with performance cells, and there is potential to also provide batteries to competitors.
To accomplish this ambitious expansion, Porsche is projected to invest over one billion euros in the plant. The Reutlingen-Kirchentellinsfurt facility is expected to commence series production with a limited volume in spring 2024, followed by large-scale production in approximately two to three years.
The joint venture between Porsche and cell specialist Customcells was established in 2021, with P3 also playing a role in its foundation. At that time, Porsche acquired a stake in Customcells. Manager Magazin suggests that Customcells’ inability to contribute to the financing of the plant near Tübingen, in accordance with its 27% joint venture share, may have led to the company’s takeover by Porsche. However, the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed.
If Manager Magazin’s information proves accurate, Porsche would become the first automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to mass-produce performance cells for electric sports cars. These cells could potentially be utilized in a potential production version of the recently unveiled Mission X hypercar concept. Until now, Porsche has been procuring cells from LG Energy Solution.
In May, the factory’s progress near Tübingen was marked by a strategic partnership with Siemens. Cellforce and the German technology group announced their intention to collaborate across the entire battery development and manufacturing process. Additionally, the joint venture has entered into several other partnerships for factory equipment, including ordering a system for coating electrodes for high-performance battery cells from Dürr and forming a strategic cooperation with mechanical engineering company Trumpf, which will contribute its high-precision laser technology.
As for Customcells, it was recently reported that the cell specialist has entered into a “project-based partnership” with Californian battery developer OneD Battery Sciences. This collaboration aims to jointly develop and industrialize battery electric vehicle (BEV) cells for an undisclosed automotive OEM, with General Motors speculated as the customer. According to Manager Magazin, this project places Customcells in the gigawatt-hour range.
