Honda and GS Yuasa have signed a three way partnership settlement towards the institution of a brand new firm, which can work on high-capacity, high-output lithium-ion batteries, primarily for electrical automobiles.
The 2 Japanese firms have been negotiating the deal since January and are prepared to ascertain the “Honda・GS Yuasa EV Battery R&D Co., Ltd.” three way partnership (50/50) later this yr.
The principle focus will probably be “analysis and develop lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing strategies that will probably be extremely aggressive at a worldwide stage” however the long-term aim of the partnership is clearly the mass manufacturing of EV batteries. That is why the brand new firm “will attempt to ascertain a provide chain for key uncooked supplies and a highly-efficient manufacturing system for its batteries.”
That is not a shock, as a result of GS Yuasa, one of many largest Japanese battery producers, want to deal with lithium-ion EV batteries extra critically. The corporate was already engaged in EV batteries (Lithium Vitality Japan three way partnership for Mitsubishi plug-ins, and Blue Vitality three way partnership for Honda hybrids).
The brand new partnership with Honda (and probably different companions) may put GS Yuasa among the many largest all-electric automobile battery producers later this decade.
Feedback by Koichi Yamamoto, Consultant Director and President (to be) of Honda・GS Yuasa EV Battery R&D Co., Ltd. stated:
“We’re more than happy that Honda and GS Yuasa have reached a three way partnership settlement, which can turn out to be a brand new milestone in our pursuit of the conclusion of carbon neutrality, which is a aim shared by the 2 firms. The brand new firm will totally leverage the strengths of the 2 firms and set up a robust presence within the quickly increasing battery market.”
The query is what battery chemistry and battery cell sort will probably be chosen for the brand new electrical vehicles, in addition to whether or not Honda is prepared for some new options, like cell-to-pack or structural battery packs.
These questions have to be answered by the Honda・GS Yuasa EV Battery R&D Co., earlier than the companions determine to take a position billions in new battery vegetation.