The three companies have announced that they have set up a joint venture, to be known as Lithium Energy and Power GmbH & Co. KG and headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, to develop the next-generation of energy storage technologies for the electric vehicles of the future.
Germany’s Robert Bosch GmbH is teaming up with Japan’s GS Yuasa International Ltd., and Mitsubishi Corporation to develop lithium-ion battery technologies.
The three companies have announced that they have set up a joint venture, to be known as Lithium Energy and Power GmbH & Co. KG and headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, to develop the next-generation of energy storage technologies for the electric vehicles of the future.
“In setting up this joint venture, we want to achieve nothing less than a giant leap forward in the development of battery technology. Our aim is to make lithium-ion batteries twice as efficient,” says Dr. Volkmar Denner, who, as chairman of the board of management at Robert Bosch GmbH, is responsible for research and development.
The joint venture was set up in November 2013. Bosch currently holds a 50 percent stake while GS Yuasa International Ltd. and Mitsubishi each hold 25 percent.
Bosch, which has experience in the development of battery packs and battery management systems, will take charge of the research into the monitoring and control of the battery cells, the complete systems and their integration into the vehicle themselves.
GS Yuasa, a manufacturer of automotive and non-automotive lithium-ion battery cells, will contribute their experience in materials systems and electrochemistry towards developing the joint venture’s batteries.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Corporation will contribute their global sales network and experience in the automotive industry to take the joint venture forward.
Electric vehicles are considered key towards a more climate-friendly and sustainable automotive industry. For E.V.s to be successfully mass produced, better batteries with higher energy densities, greater recharge and discharge rates, with smaller and lighter designs are key.
Bosch, GS Yuasa, and Misubishi are confident that their new J.V. can provide such batteries and gain a foothold in the electromobility market from 2020 onward. – EcoSeed Staff
