Battery Technology

Lab technician in a white coat working at an automated storage and processing system with numerous sample tubes.

The battery is the heart of electromobility. Its performance determines the range, charging time, and lifetime of an electric vehicle – and thus its market success. The Volkswagen Group is one of the few automotive manufacturers taking this key technology for fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids into its own hands. In doing so, we are also securing our long-term global leadership.

Portrait of Oliver Blume, CEO Volkswagen Group — **Oliver Blume**CEO Volkswagen Group

Our Strategy – Global Cell Manufacturer with European Roots

Batteriesmakeup a largeshareof avehicle’svalue.Onethingisclear:Whoevermastersbatterytechnologysecurescompetitiveadvantages –bothtechnologically andeconomically.

WithoursubsidiaryPowerCo,weare building abatteryindustry with Europeanroots.Cellfactoriesarecurrently planned in Salzgitter, Valencia, and St. Thomas, Canada. Thesethree plants formthefoundation for a robust,regionallyanchoredsupplychain andstrengthenthestrategicindependenceofthe Volkswagen Group. From amarketperspective,ourgoalis todevelop anentirely newgenerationofbatteries –moreaffordable andsafer,moresustainable and resilient.

Laboratory engineer with safety glasses working on a battery module testing system in a modern research lab.

Batteries. For generations to come.

More about PowerCo

PowerCo SE is responsible for the Group’s global battery activities, and ensures the supply of battery cells for the electric mobility campaign.

Unified Cell – the Standard Cell for Our Batteries

Thecornerstoneofour electromobileinnovationsistheunified celldevelopedbyPowerCo. From 2030onward, itisset tobeused inmorethan 80percentoftheGroup’sbatteryelectricvehicles – fromentry-levelmodels totheluxurysegment.

Advantagesofthe Unified Cell
•reducescomplexity indevelopment and production
• maximumflexibility and scalability
•enablesaffordablemobilitythroughcostbenefits –even forentry-level models

Close-up of a blue solar panel with black frames.

CELL MADE: Focus on the Unified Cell

In the video series CELL MADE, experts from PowerCo provide exclusive insights into the development of the Unified Cell (UFC). They explain the key features of the cell—from energy density and fast charging capability to service life and safety.

CELL MADE – Exploring the battery cell technologies of tomorrow

CELL MADE – PowerCo focuses on fast-charging capability

CELL MADE – The lifespan of battery cells

CELL MADE – The safety of battery cells

Close-up of several blue battery cells with marked positive and negative terminals.

Solid-State Cell – the Battery Technology of Tomorrow

Revolutionary inenergydensity and power:The solid-statecellisthenextgeneration inbatterytechnology. Ithasthe potential tosignificantlyimprovetherange,chargingspeed, andsafetyofbatteries.

To bringthe solid-statebatteryintoseriesproductionsoon,PowerCoisworking with U.S.technologypartnerQuantumScape. Testresultsare promising:TheQuantumScape solid-statebattery stillretains 95percentcapacityeven after 1,000chargingcycles. Thiscorresponds to amileageofmorethan 500,000kilometers –withoutnoticeablelosses inrange.

Charging Infrastructure and Charging Ecosystems – Expanding Value Creation

Wherearechargingstations? Arethey available? Canvehiclesbechargedquickly there?Charginginfrastructureis akeyfactorwhen itcomes toswitching to an EV. Thatiswhywearemassivelyexpandingchargingnetworks andcapacities. Alreadytoday,the Volkswagen Groupoffers 850,000chargingpointsacross Europe,including 150,000 fast-chargingpoints.

We alsoseegreat potential inofferingcompletechargingecosystems – forexample withhomewallboxes,attractivechargingtariffs andservices,aswellaspublic fast-chargingnetworks. Inaddition,wearedevelopingsolutions for

bidirectionalcharging options
vehiclesas mobile power banks
battery network management

Fortheenergyrequired, an electromobilesociety willneed largeenergystoragesystems inthefuture. Here, amarket withenormous potentialisemerging – and withourcompanyElli,weareplanning, building, andoperatingstationary large-scalestoragesystems. Inthisway,wearesustainablyexpandingourvaluecreation – fromautomotivemanufacturing tocharginginfrastructure allthewayintotheenergymarket.

Electric car charging at a Volkswagen Elli charging station in front of a modern building.

Empowering electric life.

More about Elli

Elli is here to make life with electricity easier, more reliable, and totally free of hassle. Out on the road, at home, and also in generating renewable energy. Smart, convenient, reliable and eco-friendly.