Boston-based EV battery company SES Holdings Pte Ltd said on Wednesday it had signed a joint development agreement with Japanese automaker Honda Motor Co (7267.T) for lithium-metal batteries .
The agreement：
- They will work with early stage prototypes of SES lithium-metal battery, or “A-samples.”
- In addition, Honda plans to buy 2% of SES AI Corporation, a new entity that will be created by an SES partnership with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to list in the US.
Honda will become the third major automaker in the world, after General Motors and Hyundai, to sign a joint development agreement with SES for lithium metal battery A samples.
Some context about lithium-metal batteries:
- Conventional lithium-ion batteries contain heavy liquid electrolytes, while solid lithium-metal batteries are lighter .
- Lithium-metal batteries are expected to achieve higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries, which are used in most battery-electric vehicles today.
What caught our eye:
SES in November showcased a lithium-metal battery cell with over 100 amp-hours of charge, while most lithium-ion battery cells run between 50 and 120 amp hours.
SES plans to mass produce its battery cells at a factory in Shanghai which is scheduled for completion in 2023.
Our take：SES hybrid lithium metal technology is a compelling and innovative solution that combines industry-leading performance such as high energy density with high manufacturability. This innovative battery technology will make a huge difference for electric vehicle manufacturers worldwide.
