France’s government is throwing its weight behind a French-led consortium spearheading development of “third and fourth generation” lithium-ion battery technology.
The country’s powerful National Industrial Council (CNI)— headed by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe— said it is backing batteries research by Saft and others to the tune of “at least” EUR10 million ($11.5m).
The cash boost was announced in a new CNI report, in which France makes an unabashed promotion of the country’s battery-making credentials, regardless of European Commission moves to create a Brussels-led EU Batteries Alliance.
CNI’s report said France is “one of the few European countries to have the entire battery value chain on its territory (and) to position itself in this market with globally recognised manufacturers”.
“With nine million electric vehicles in circulation worldwide by 2020, the need for energy storage in mobility will grow massively”, according to CNI.
Saft, which is owned by French oil and gas giant Total, said in February this year it was teaming up with Belgium-based chemicals firm Solvay for the seven-year programme to develop next generation batteries “focusing on advanced high-density lithium-ion and solid-state technology”. German-based multinational Siemens is also involved.
Saft has said the initiative would “need strong regulatory support and appropriate funding from European and national authorities”.