QuantumScape Partners PowerCo to Scale Solid-State Batteries

This collaboration leverages QuantumScape's innovative battery platform, featuring a solid-state ceramic separator and pure lithium-metal anode for superior energy density, fast charging, and enhanced safety.

Canada-Volkswagen Group's battery company PowerCo, and QuantumScape have signed a significant agreement to advance QuantumScape's cutting-edge solid-state lithium-metal battery technology into industrial production. The agreement hinges on achieving technical benchmarks and entails royalty payments, after which PowerCo gains the license to mass-produce battery cells based on QuantumScape's groundbreaking platform.

PowerCo has a non-exclusive license to produce up to 40 GWh per year using QuantumScape's technology, with an option to expand to 80 GWh annually. This capacity can supply around one million vehicles per year, marking a rapid advancement in solid-state battery production to meet global demand for electric vehicles.

The agreement creates a highly collaborative partnership enhancing each company’s strengths: QuantumScape’s advanced technology and PowerCo’s worldwide expertise in industrialization and manufacturing. Central to this collaboration is a joint effort to expedite QuantumScape’s technology into industrial production. A specialized team, comprising professionals from both firms, will spearhead these efforts to scale up and industrialize the technology effectively.

QuantumScape’s technology is built upon their exclusive solid-state ceramic separator. This innovation allows for the utilization of a pure lithium-metal anode, aiming to deliver outstanding energy and power density, rapid charging capability, and enhanced safety. The collaboration aims to develop a product scalable for integration into Volkswagen Group vehicle series.

Mr. Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo, said, “With this cooperation, we aim to bring the most sustainable and cutting-edge battery cells to our customers. We have been collaborating and testing QuantumScape prototype cells for years now, and we are looking forward to bringing this technology of the future into series production. QuantumScape’s technology is poised to enter a pivotal stage where PowerCo’s specialized expertise, resources, and global factories can help facilitate the transition to industrial-scale production.

Mr. Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board Member for Technology, said, “Electric vehicles are the future of mobility, and this agreement with QuantumScape will ensure the Volkswagen Group’s global fleet has access to this groundbreaking battery technology for years to come. We are committed to driving the industry forward to ensure that our electric vehicles set the benchmark for excellence and sustainability.”

Dr. Siva Sivaram, CEO and president of QuantumScape, Said,  “This agreement is a major step in our long-term global scale-up strategy to bring QuantumScape’s solid-state lithium-metal battery technology to market. Combining our cutting-edge technology with PowerCo’s expertise in manufacturing and industrialisation, this deal establishes a blueprint for a capital- light business approach and positions us at the forefront of energy storage innovation. Working closely with PowerCo as our first customer will help us accelerate commercialisation and adoption of these game-changing batteries together.”