Porsche and Customcells to Develop High-Performance Batteries

Porsche Enters Battery Production with New Joint Venture

Porsche AG, the renowned manufacturer of luxury sports cars, is expanding its operations into the realm of battery technology. The company announced plans on Monday to establish a new facility dedicated to the production of high-performance battery cells. This venture is a collaborative effort with Customcells, a developer specializing in lithium-ion batteries.

Investment and Location

A significant investment, amounting to “the high double-digit millions,” has been made by Porsche in this new joint venture, officially named Cellforce Group GmbH. This information was shared by board member Michael Steiner during a press conference preceding the official announcement.

Furthermore, the project has secured €60 million ($71.4 million) in funding from both the German federal government and the state of Baden-Württemberg, where the factory will be situated. BASF SE, a leading chemical company, has been chosen as the supplier for the essential cathode materials.

Advanced Battery Technology

The batteries being developed will utilize silicon as the anode material. Porsche asserts that this choice will substantially enhance energy density and improve the batteries’ ability to operate effectively at elevated temperatures. These characteristics are particularly crucial for racing cars, which demand rapid recharging capabilities.

However, maintaining optimal performance at high temperatures presents a considerable challenge in battery production, as batteries generally do not perform well when overheated.

Production Scale and Timeline

The initial production scale will be relatively modest, in contrast to the large-scale facilities of competitors. For example, the Tesla and Panasonic joint facility in Sparks, Nevada boasts a 35 gigawatt-hour capacity, while VW aims for 240 GwH of production in Europe by 2030.

Porsche and Customcells are targeting an annual production capacity of 100 megawatt-hours, sufficient for approximately 1,000 vehicles, commencing in 2024. The workforce is projected to expand from an initial team of 13 to around 80 employees by 2025.

Focus on High-Performance Applications

Currently, Porsche has no intentions to adapt this technology for use in its mainstream vehicle models, according to Steiner. He did, however, suggest that increased production volumes might be considered in the future if production costs can be reduced.

“Our focus is on creating specialized cells for high-end vehicles and motorsports, a niche not currently served by the existing market,” Steiner explained.

Challenges and Potential

Scaling this silicon anode-based cell chemistry for broader applications may prove difficult. Porsche acknowledges that the technology has yet to demonstrate reliable performance in extremely cold conditions or long-term stability across numerous charging cycles.

Nevertheless, Porsche has a history of successfully transferring technology from the racetrack to its production vehicles. The Taycan, its flagship electric model, incorporates numerous technical features originally developed for the Porsche 919 Hybrid racing car.

Availability to Volkswagen Group

While the initial application of these batteries will be within Porsche vehicles, Steiner indicated that the technology will be extended to other brands within the Volkswagen Group, including Lamborghini and Bugatti.

Vision for the Future

Porsche CEO Oliver Blume stated, “The battery cell represents the combustion chamber of the future.” He further emphasized that this joint venture will enable Porsche to maintain a leading position in the global competition for developing advanced battery technology.

“It will serve as the crucial link between the distinctive Porsche driving experience and sustainability, allowing us to shape the future of the sports car,” Blume concluded.