European Innovation: Volkswagen, PowerCo, and Elli Introduce Groundbreaking Battery and Energy Technologies
Volkswagen Unveils Revolutionary Unified Cell Battery
Volkswagen Group has unveiled its latest innovation, the Unified Cell, a powerful battery cell that promises to revolutionise the electric vehicle (EV) industry. This new technology will be a global platform within the Volkswagen Group, powering up to 80% of its EVs.
The Unified Cell boasts an energy density of around 660 Wh/l, making it one of the most powerful battery cells in the volume segment. This high energy density translates to a range of up to 450 kilometers and charging times of less than 25 minutes, making long-distance travel and quick charging a reality for EV owners.
The Unified Cell is designed for flexibility, allowing it to be equipped with various cell chemistries. This flexibility, combined with standardization, offers manufacturers the ability to tailor the battery to specific vehicle needs while maintaining a consistent platform.
The first cells will be produced towards the end of this year at the Salzgitter Gigafactory, with further production facilities in Valencia, Spain, and St. Thomas, Canada, following suit.
In a move to further enhance the Unified Cell, Volkswagen, PowerCo, and Elli are positioning themselves at the intersection of the automotive industry and the energy sector. PowerCo's Unified Cell will debut in the Electric Urban Car Family of Volkswagen, ŠKODA, and CUPRA, utilising Gigacasting processes for key components, reducing weight and cost compared to previous batteries.
In addition to the Unified Cell, Volkswagen and its subsidiary PowerCo are also actively involved in the development of solid-state batteries for the automotive industry. Companies such as BYD in China are already testing vehicles with solid-state batteries, while Volkswagen collaborates closely with QuantumScape to industrialise and prepare the technology for series production, aiming for market-ready solutions by the end of the decade. PowerCo is also integrating solid-state technology into their unified cell concept for widespread vehicle use.
Moreover, the storage system associated with the Unified Cell has a capacity of 20 MW and a storage capacity of 40 MWh, serving as a scalable platform for energy trading. Elli, another subsidiary of Volkswagen, will connect the first stationary large-scale storage system to the grid in December 2025, based on battery packs from PowerCo.
The Unified Cell marks a significant step forward in Volkswagen's commitment to a sustainable future, positioning the company at the forefront of the EV revolution.
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