Panasonic Energy, part of Japan’s Panasonic Group, has announced three major activities concerning development and manufacture of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries.
It is partnering with Japanese automotive manufacturers Mazda Motor Co and Subaru Automotive. Panasonic has signed agreements to supply a new generation of cylindrical batteries for EVs with Mazda and Subaru. It gave no details.
It also plans to form a joint venture in India with Indian Oil Corporation, a leading energy company in India. Panasonic said a JV with it would examine the feasibility of manufacturing cylindrical lithium-ion batteries. They will finalise collaboration details this summer, Panasonic said.
It has long experience of lightweight cylindrical batteries for other applications, in particular for continuous use in harsh conditions. In 2017 the company commissioned its first factory for cylindrical automotive batteries in North America.
Panasonic has developed two types of cylindrical automotive batteries: the 1865 and 2170. The latest models claim the world’s highest level of energy density.
