Stellantis and Zeta Energy agree to develop lithium-sulfur batteries for electric vehicles

Stellantis and Zeta Energy agree to develop lithium-sulfur batteries for electric vehicles

Short dive:

  • Stellantis and Texas-based battery maker Zeta Energy will jointly develop advanced lithium-sulfur battery cells for use in the automaker’s future electric vehicles. THE the companies announced December 5th.
  • Lithium-sulfur batteries offer about double the energy density of the lithium-ion batteries used by automakers in many electric vehicles today and have the potential to improve fast charging speeds by up to 50%.
  • The deal includes pre-production development of lithium-sulfur battery cells, which Stellantis plans to use in its electric vehicles by 2030.

Diving information:

In addition to faster charging, lithium-sulfur batteries produced under the partnership are expected to have a significantly lower production cost per kilowatt-hour than current lithium-ion batteries. Their higher energy density could also allow Stellantis to use smaller, less expensive battery packs in future electric vehicles to improve affordability without sacrificing range.

“Our collaboration with Zeta Energy is another step forward to help advance our electrification strategy as we work to deliver clean, safe and affordable vehicles,” said Ned Curic, Chief Engineering and Technology Officer at Stellantis. “Disruptive battery technologies such as lithium-sulfur can support Stellantis’ commitment to carbon neutrality by 2038, while ensuring our customers have optimal battery life, performance and affordability.”

Unlike lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries, which typically use cobalt and nickel to increase energy density, lithium-sulfur batteries are made using waste materials – unrefined sulfur and methane – which are widely available as a byproduct of various industries. These abundant raw materials can also help mitigate supply chain risks, as lithium-sulfur batteries do not require cobalt, graphite, manganese or nickel.

Zeta Energy’s battery technology can also be produced on existing gigafactory production lines. Without the reliance on critical raw materials, lithium-sulfur battery production would require a smaller domestic supply chain in Europe or North America.

“Combining Zeta Energy’s lithium-sulfur battery technology with Stellantis’ unrivaled expertise in innovation, global manufacturing and distribution can significantly improve the performance and cost profile of electric vehicles, while increasing the supply chain resilience for batteries and electric vehicles,” said Tom Pilette, CEO of Zeta Energy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *