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LG Energy Solution has secured 8,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate annually from Arkansas starting in 2029 under a take-or-pay agreement. The deal strengthens the company’s localized US supply chain for both EV batteries and stationary energy storage. For the project, it is also an important step toward securing financing and reaching a final investment decision.
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BYD’s luxury brand Yangwang reports that its U7 electric sedan completed a 30,000-km endurance test in hot conditions and with more than 350 fast-charging sessions. According to the manufacturer, capacity retention afterward was 98.7%, representing a loss of just 1.3%. The broader context is noteworthy: China will significantly tighten its requirements for reliability testing from 2027.
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A Chinese research team has reported lithium-metal pouch cells with an energy density in the 600 Wh/kg range and a new electrolyte strategy to combat degradation and dendrites. It sounds like a potential breakthrough for drones and eVTOLs, but it is clearly still laboratory research and far from automotive mass production.
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A new industry analysis reveals the extent to which Europe’s automotive industry depends on Asia for battery cells and precursor materials. As a result, Europe could lose up to €150 billion in value creation by 2030, while research, profits and expertise increasingly develop outside Europe.