Automotive giant Stellantis has just announced a new partnership with American start-up Zeta Energy. Together, the two companies have entered into a strategic agreement for the development of lithium-sulfur batteries. The promise is great: a lighter, cheaper pack and improved charging performance.
Stellantis is multiplying collaborations to try to make a place for itself in the battery market. After a partnership with the CEA and another with Mercedes and TotalEnergies (ACC), the automotive giant is teaming up with Zeta Energy. According to the press release from the two firms, "this collaboration aims to develop lithium-sulfur batteries for electric vehicles with revolutionary energy density".
Objective: reduce charging time by 50%
The idea is to offer a volumetric energy density comparable to that of current lithium-ion batteries. For motorists, this would mean a much lighter pack offering the same usable energy. While allowing for a longer range, better handling and high-level charging performance. Such technology could reduce charging time “by 50%.”
Stellantis claims that “lithium-sulfur batteries are expected to cost less than half the price of current lithium-ion batteries.” Ned Curic, CTO at the Franco-Italian-American group, specifies that “our collaboration with Zeta Energy represents a key step in advancing our electrification strategy with the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality by 2038.”
Less polluting batteries?
For his part, Tom Pilette, CEO of Zeta Energy, says he is “delighted to work with Stellantis on this project.” He specifies that “the combination of Zeta Energy’s lithium-sulfur battery technology with Stellantis’ expertise in innovation, manufacturing and global distribution can significantly improve the performance and cost of electric vehicles.”
The two companies add that the batteries will be produced from recycled materials, methane and unrefined sulfur. They do not require cobalt, graphite, manganese or nickel. In concrete terms, their production offers significantly lower CO2 emissions than existing technologies. These future packs should equip the group's electric vehicles by 2030.
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