A year after QuantumScape delivered its solid-state battery prototypes to automotive partners, the company is receiving accolades from PowerCo, the battery-focused subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. Following an endurance test, PowerCo has determined that QuantumScape’s solid-state cells have the potential to power electric vehicles (EVs) capable of driving 500,000 kilometers with minimal range loss.
QuantumScape, trading as $QS, is an advanced battery technology company with over a decade of experience in developing scalable, high-energy-density solid-state battery cells. The goal is to create batteries that make EVs safer, charge faster, and have an extended driving range.
Throughout QuantumScape’s solid-state battery development journey, Volkswagen Group has been a longstanding partner and remains one of the startup’s major investors. The support from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Volkswagen has enabled QuantumScape to advance its technology and deliver some of the most promising solid-state battery innovations in the industry.
In December 2022, QuantumScape supplied its initial batch of 24-layer solid-state cells to automotive partners, including Volkswagen Group, for testing purposes. Subsequent developments have seen QuantumScape produce even more energy-dense cells, surpassing performance targets during testing as of October 2023.
Recently, Volkswagen Group’s battery subsidiary, PowerCo, conducted endurance tests with QuantumScape’s 24-layer cells, yielding positive results. The tests, conducted over several months at the laboratory in Salzgitter, Germany, involved subjecting the solid-state cells to over 1,000 charge cycles. PowerCo’s report aligns with QuantumScape’s previously shared performance metrics, indicating that future EVs could offer improved range with significantly reduced battery degradation.
Overall, QuantumScape’s advancements in solid-state battery technology, coupled with the positive results from PowerCo’s endurance tests, signal a promising future for electric vehicles with enhanced performance and longevity. With continued support and investment from industry leaders like Volkswagen Group, QuantumScape is poised to revolutionize the EV market with its high-performance solid-state battery cells.
