China-based battery giant CATL has begun mass production of its Qilin battery, according to local news reports. The battery, which leverages the company's latest cell-to-pack (CTP) technology, is expected to deliver more power than 4680 cells.
Nickel, copper, and aluminum prices have fallen to their lowest points in months. Lithium carbonate, a key material for EV batteries, also plunged as supply outpaces demand.
US-based Albemarle Corporation announced on March 22 it has selected South Carolina as the site of its new lithium processing facility. The specialty chemicals manufacturing company plans to make 50,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide every year from multiple sources, including recycled batteries.
Infineon Technologies and Delta Electronics are expanding their long-term cooperation from industrial to automotive applications. On March 21, both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will deepen their joint innovation activities to provide more efficient and higher-density solutions for the fast-growing market of electric vehicles (EV). The agreement covers a wide range of components such as high-voltage and low-voltage discretes and modules as well as microcontrollers to be used in EV drivetrain applications such as traction inverters, DC-DC converters, and on-board chargers.
A year and a half ago, China's CATL put on a flashy event to make an announcement significant enough that Zeng Yuqun, the founder and chairman of the world's biggest battery maker, served as emcee.
Lithium carbonate, a material used in lithium batteries, including lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and ternary lithium batteries, has recently seen its price drop by nearly 40% to below CNY350,000 (US$51,000) per ton, compared to its peak at CNY600,000 in November 2022. The suppliers are inclined to wait and see if the price will drop below CNY300,000.
Japan-based Thermalytica achieved a breakthrough in the development of a super insulation material that significantly enhances the efficiency and cost-competitiveness of transporting and storing liquid hydrogen.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced on March 15 a funding opportunity of US$750 million for research, development, and demonstration efforts to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen by developing clean hydrogen electrolysis and clean hydrogen manufacturing and recycling.
South Korea's biggest battery event of the year turned into a beauty parade of US, European and Australian officials all trying to lure investments to their regions.
China-based EV company Nio signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with its supplier, Ningbo Tuopu Group, on March 16. The pair will collaborate on a "Tier-0.5" model, developing and producing new energy vehicle (NEV) components together.
China-based battery maker CATL continues to consolidate relationships with automotive OEMs. The company signed an agreement with Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC) on March 13 to co-develop batteries for the carmaker.
Scooter use is surging as people grow more interested in electro-mobility and micro-mobility. Coming along with electric micro-mobility is an increasing appreciation of the flexibility and ease of driving a scooter. For those still weighing the pros and cons between a charge-at-home scooter and a battery-swapping bike, Indian startup Brisk EV is bringing a combined battery solution to the market.
