Panasonic aims to develop ‘groundbreaking’ EV batteries in two years

Panasonic, the Japanese electronics giant and long-time supplier to Tesla, has announced plans to develop a new generation of higher-capacity electric vehicle (EV) batteries within the next two years. The breakthrough technology, which could significantly extend the driving range of EVs, is expected to be ready by the end of 2027, according to a report by Reuters. 

In conventional lithium-ion cells, the anode plays a critical role in storing and releasing energy.  

Panasonic’s new design proposes to remove the anode at production and instead allow a lithium metal anode to form naturally after the battery is charged for the first time. This innovative approach is expected to free up valuable internal space, enabling more active cathode materials including nickel, cobalt and aluminium  to be added without increasing the overall battery size.  

By doing so, the technology promises a substantial leap in energy density and storage capacity. 

According to the report, the announcements were made by a company executive ahead of a presentation on Thursday by Shoichiro Watanabe, the technology chief at the group's battery arm, Panasonic Energy.    

Shoichiro Watanabe, Chief Technology Officer at Panasonic Energy, is expected to present the details of the development at a company briefing.  

According to the report, the potential design can deliver a ‘world-leading level’ of performance, strengthening Panasonic’s competitiveness in the increasingly crowded EV battery market. 

Alongside improving capacity, Panasonic is also working to reduce the reliance on costly raw materials. In particular, the company aims to lower the proportion of nickel in its batteries, a metal that significantly drives up production costs.