Hyperdrive
VW Sees Promising Test Results for Potential Breakthrough EV Battery
- PowerCo battery unit developed technology with QuantumScape
- Batteries retained 95% of original capacity after 1,000 cycles
The charging port of a Volkswagen AG ID.3 electric vehicle.
Photographer: Michaela Nagyidaiova/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Volkswagen AG said its battery startup has seen promising results with solid-state cells for electric vehicles, a win for the German carmaker as it pushes to make EVs more efficient and less expensive.
A solid-state prototype from VW’s US partner QuantumScape Corp. “significantly exceeded” industry targets in recent tests, the carmaker said Wednesday in a statement. During tests by VW’s battery unit PowerCo over several months, the cell saw only 5% storage capacity loss after more than 1,000 charging cycles, the equivalent of 500,000 kilometers on the road. VW said industry targets for this development phase are 700 charging cycles and a maximum loss of 20% capacity.