German legacy automaker Volkswagen is exploring a new potential partnership with French company Blue Solutions to develop solid-state batteries, Reuters reports, citing a person with “direct knowledge of the discussions.”
Notably, Volkswagen has already teamed up with American startup QuantumScape to design a solid-state battery for electric vehicles. However, multiple delays prompted the German automaker to consider expanding options for the game-changing technology.
Report highlights
According to the report, Volkswagen is currently in discussions with Blue Solutions for the latter’s solid-state battery technology. The unnamed source further stated that the French battery maker already supplies its solid-state battery products to Daimler electric buses.
In that sense, Volkswagen aims to adapt the battery technology for its passenger cars.
Volkswagen and Blue Solutions reportedly plan to strike a joint development deal in the subsequent months.
Volkswagen’s latest efforts to increase the options available in the electric vehicle (EV) battery industry highlight the technical challenges currently impeding the widespread adoption of solid-state technology. Supporters of solid-state batteries consider them the “holy grail” of EV batteries since they offer longer driving ranges and shorter charging times than traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Global race for solid-state battery development
The French conglomerate-owned battery company is developing a solid-state battery for passenger cars that can support fast charging in just 20 minutes. Blue Solutions also plans to build a new gigafactory by 2029.
The race in solid-state battery development continues to intensify, with increased efforts from major players like Volkswagen, Toyota, and BMW, among others. However, solid-state batteries remain ambiguous despite years of research for the technology.
“A lot of promises haven’t been delivered and several automakers and investors have been burnt. There’s loads of really good verified data and technology, but can they (the industry) do it reliably, at scale?”
Rory McNulty at consultancy Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
Blue Solutions’ other OEM partners
Apart from Volkswagen, Blue Solutions also partnered with BMW and another unspecified OEM. It is also currently holding discussions with a potential third partner, per the report.
Blue Solutions also inked an agreement with Foxconn to develop its fourth-gen solid-state batteries for two-wheeler EVs.
Blue Solutions employs a polymer electrolyte and ultra-thin lithium metal anode to produce its solid-state batteries. It has been supplying the technology to electric buses, which apparently support fast charging of just four hours.
All that said, it would be exciting to see how Blue Solutions’ solid-state batteries would aid Volkswagen in its efforts to launch solid-state battery-equipped cars to compete in the rapidly growing automotive market.
