Ampere, the EV and software unit that is part of the Renault Group, has entered into a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Basquevolt, to accelerate the development and validation of lithium metal-based batteries for future electric vehicles. 

The companies say Basquevolt’s lithium metal-based battery technology offers a ‘transformative leap in energy density’ compared to today’s liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion batteries. By combining the advantages of polymer electrolyte with advanced anode, the companies says the technology has the potential to enable compact, lightweight battery packs with superior thermal stability and fast-charging capabilities, key attributes for the next generation of electric mobility. 

Ampere and Basquevolt aim to pave the way for the commercial deployment of lithium metal-based battery technology in electric vehicles. 

“Entering this next phase with Ampere marks a major milestone in our mission to bring polymer electrolyte technology closer to the mass market,” said Pablo Fernández, CEO of Basquevolt. 

“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, VP Vehicle & Powertrain Engineering, Ampere. 

Thanks to its polymer electrolyte, battery cells can be produced through a simpler and more efficient manufacturing process, the companies say. They claim the competitive advantage will result in approximately 30% lower capital investment per GWh in a conventional gigafactory and 30% less energy used per kWh produced.