On September 14, local time, Volkswagen announced that it had invested $ 100 million in battery technology company QuantumScape, a spin-off company of Stanford University. Through this investment, the two companies have established a joint venture that plans to bring solid-state battery technology to the market by 2025.
A representative of Volkswagen stated in a statement: "Compared with the current range of electric vehicles which can reach 300 kilometers, solid-state batteries can achieve an range of 750 kilometers of electric vehicles, compared with the existing lithium-ion technology, It has the advantages of higher energy density, better safety, faster charging capability, and most importantly, it takes up significantly less space. "
The Volkswagen Group is significantly expanding its electric model range, so exploring solid-state battery technology is an important step. By 2030, Volkswagen's existing 300 models of Porsche, Bugatti, Seat, Skoda and Audi are planning to provide electric versions, and solid-state batteries will allow these models to be equipped with smaller, lighter and more affordable batteries . Currently, Volkswagen has tested early solid-state battery samples of QuantumScape running on automotive power in Germany.
QuantumScape was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in San Jose, California. It has more than 200 solid state battery technology patents and patent applications. Its deep expertise is the company's pioneer in developing such breakthrough energy storage methods.