Japanese automaker Subaru and battery maker Panasonic Energy formally announced Monday that they initiated negotiations for a potential med- to long-term partnership over cylindrical battery supply.
The potential partnership will aid Subaru in achieving its annual sales target of 200,000 BEVs by 2026 and production output of 400,000 units by 2028. It will also boost the automaker’s carbon neutrality goals.
“Subaru is accelerating its electrification and other initiatives by setting a roadmap toward 2050, with the aim of contributing to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.”
Subaru and Panasonic
Negotiation details
The joint press release indicated that the negotiations revolved around Subaru’s intentions to utilize Panasonic’s next-gen cylindrical li-ion batteries for its new battery-powered vehicles in the “latter half of the 2020s.”
Notably, Subaru aims to produce the planned EVs at its yet-to-be-developed factory in Gunma, Japan.
“Subaru and Panasonic Energy will hold discussions with a view to Panasonic Energy supplying Subaru with next-generation automotive cylindrical lithium-ion batteries, and Subaru installing batteries purchased from Panasonic Energy in BEVs to be produced from the latter half of the 2020s at its sites, including a dedicated BEV plant scheduled to be constructed in Gunma, Japan.”
Subaru and Panasonic
The press release did not elaborate on details about the cylindrical li-ion batteries. Nonetheless, if the two companies successfully reach a deal, it would mark Panasonic’s second order from a Japanese automaker.
In hindsight, Panasonic announced a similar negotiation process with Mazda in June. The battery giant seems to be attempting to establish a conglomerate of Japanese automakers to widely launch its new 4680 battery cell in the domestic market.
See Also:
- Panasonic, Mazda to partner for EV cylindrical li-ion batteries
- Japan’s Panasonic needs four more EV battery factories to meet surging demand, executive says
- Subaru to launch four new electric models by 2026
- Another delay for Subaru Australia’s first electric vehicle
- Subaru plans to become all-electric by 2025
All that said, it would be interesting to see if Panasonic would disclose similar negotiations in the coming days. It is also a positive indication of their efforts to boost their electrification initiatives.
