German automotive group Porsche AG, Volkswagen’s luxury sports car unit, is partnering with Customcell. The partnership with the German lithium-ion cell company will aim to produce batteries that charge faster and take up less space.
Porsche has announced an investment of several tens of millions of euros in a future photovoltaic battery cell factory. A joint venture that will give the Volkswagen entity 84% control over Customcell.
A vehicle charged in a quarter of an hour
Porsche and Customcell plan to produce battery cells in 2024 that can be 80% charged in just a quarter of an hour. In addition to reducing charging time, this improvement in energy density will reduce the amount of raw material required. This will have an impact on the production cost of batteries, which will lower the price of the electric vehicle.
Porsche‘s decision comes at a time when European carmakers are trying to reduce their dependence on Asia for the production of batteries used in electric models. The idea is to achieve stricter emission targets in the European Union.
Towards predominantly electric production
Volkswagen, the parent company of Porsche, intends to build half a dozen factories for these battery cells throughout Europe. The ambition is to expand these electric vehicle charging facilities worldwide.
After presenting its first electric model, the Taycan, in September 2019, Porsche plans to roll out a full range of plug-in vehicles. An electric version of the Macan is expected in 2023. For the time being, Porsche plans to have an 80% electrified range by 2030.
Read also > PORSCHE : A CONVERTER TO INCREASE THE RANGE OF ELECTRIC CARS
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