Battery technology is being developed by QuantumScape in the US.
The goal is to surpass Tesla at the range game.
The range potential is well over 700 km (435 miles).
This 2nd-generation cell technology has the potential to transform the industry. While this is not the first, nor will it be the last time, that we write these lines, this new technology increases cell energy density by as much as 50%. Volkswagen thinks they might get this technology on the road by 2024.
Extra energy density means that the volume occupied by a current battery could potentially hold 50% more power. This will thus enable the vehicle to travel up to 80% farther on a single charge.
Volkswagen ID.3 | Photo: Volkswagen
Volkswagen first invested in QuantumScape in June of 2018. This past summer, VW increased its total investment to $300 million. The cell technology, according to Automotive News Europe (subscription required) relies on a solid electrolyte and lithium metal (instead of a liquid electrolyte and graphite) improving said density.
Jagdeep Singh, CEO and one of three founders of QuantumScape, says that there will be two output for production. “The first phase will be somewhat lower volume, on the order of 1 GWh, and the second phase will be 20 GWh, which is a real gigafactory scale production.”
The first cells should be produced in 2024, ramping up by 2026.
