Ampere, Renault Group’s EV unit, has signed a joint development agreement with Basquevolt to advance lithium metal-based battery technology for electric vehicles. The partnership targets Pre-A Sample prototypes, with claims of 30% lower manufacturing capital costs per GWh.
Ampere, the EV and software arm of Renault Group, based in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, has signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Spanish battery developer Basquevolt to develop and validate lithium metal-based batteries for future EVs.
The partnership, announced on February 23, aims to meet the requirements of Pre-A Sample prototypes, moving Basquevolt’s polymer electrolyte technology closer to automotive application.
Lithium metal-based batteries offer higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion cells with liquid electrolyte. By combining polymer electrolyte with an advanced anode design, the technology is intended to enable more compact and lighter battery packs with improved thermal stability and fast-charging capability.
“Entering this next phase with Ampere marks a milestone in our mission to bring polymer electrolyte technology closer to the mass market,” explains Pablo Fernández, chief executive of Basquevolt.
The two companies have already been collaborating for more than twelve months. According to Basquevolt, its technology can achieve very high energy density while reducing overall battery pack costs. The company says its polymer electrolyte enables a simpler manufacturing process, resulting in approximately 30% lower capital investment per GWh in a conventional gigafactory and 30% less energy consumed per kWh produced.
“Together, we are focused on validating performance in real-world automotive conditions and accelerating the transition to next-gen EV batteries that meet the evolving needs of our customers,” adds Nicolas Racquet, vice president of vehicle and powertrain engineering at Ampere.
The agreement combines Basquevolt’s cell chemistry expertise with Ampere’s automotive engineering and integration capabilities as the partners work toward commercial deployment of the technology in EVs.
