China-owned automaker Changan Automobile has just tapped the world’s biggest lithium producer by market cap, Ganfeng Lithium, to advance its solid-state battery development.
Partnership details
According to CnEVPost, Changan and Ganfeng officially inked a Memorandum of Cooperation in Ningbo City, Zhejiang province, on December 22.
Changan’s stock exchange announcement on December 25 revealed that the MoC involves the formation of a long-term joint venture.
They will have equal shares to the new JV, which aims to boost R&D efforts for solid-state batteries. It will also cover the potential production of innovative battery tech in a planned solid-state battery research, development, and manufacturing base, as per the announcement.
In addition, the two major companies will collaborate on relevant areas such as lithium mining resources and processing, battery materials, and battery recycling.
“The signing of the strategic cooperation memorandum with Ganfeng Lithium is a continuous step in implementing Changan’s Shangri-La plan and the Golden Shield battery brand strategy. Leveraging our respective strengths, we aim to expedite the industrialization of (semi-) solid-state battery technology, offering users a safer and more comfortable experience with new energy products.
Simultaneously, we seek to explore in-depth collaboration across the battery industry chain, establishing a robust strategic partnership to enhance the security and resilience of the industry chain, collectively driving high-quality industry development.”
Changan Automobile’s Chairman, Zhu Huarong said in a statement (via Gasgoo)
Changan’s NEV brands
Changan introduced three smart new energy vehicle (NEV) brands as part of the Shangri-La plan launched in 2017, which substantially boosted the shift to clean energy mobility. These brands include Avatr, Deepal, and Nevo, which offer the following models: the DEEPAL SL03, the DEEPAL S7, the AVATR 11, the AVATR 12, and the NEVO A07.
All these models form the company’s diverse NEV portfolio of pure electric, plug-in hybrid electric, extended-range, and hydrogen fuel powertrain technologies.
Moving forward, the state-owned automaker aims to advance in other relevant technologies to vehicle energy consumption, battery safety, and energy replenishment efficiency to strengthen its market presence in the highly competitive market.
Changan’s battery efforts
Changan announced on the first day of the Guangzhou auto show on November 17 that it aims to introduce eight models of internally developed battery cells by 2030.
The mix includes liquid, semi-solid, and solid technologies, with an annual battery production output target of at least 150 GWh.
It further noted at the auto show that the company had already hired 1,200+ battery R&D staff. Meanwhile, its battery team is on track to hit 3,000 members by 2024.
It is currently working on industry-leading solid-state batteries for gradual mass production starting in 2025, which will have 350-500 Wh/kg energy densities. It is also developing prototype cell designs for new battery chemistries like lithium-sulfur and metal batteries. The automaker reportedly anticipates an energy density level of more than 1,300-1,500 Wh/kg and launch in mass-produced models by 2035.
Likewise, Ganfeng is also exploring solid-state batteries with an initial energy density of 260 Wh/kg. It expects an annual production output of 4 GWh. Notably, its second-gen hybrid solid-state lithium batteries utilize lithium methal as the anode, boasting 400 Wh/kg energy density.
Interestingly, the planned next-gen solid-state battery tech may reportedly first debut in models from Changan’s NEV brand Deepal. The imminent launch of Changan and Ganfeng’s new solid-state batteries will undoubtedly aid the local automaker in remaining competitive in the world’s largest auto market, which currently struggles with overcapacity and price war.
