Renault’s Ampere EV Unit Secures Battery Tech Alliance With LGES, CATL

Ampere, the European pioneer in intelligent electric vehicles (EVs), has unveiled a new battery strategy that promises to transform the market landscape. The company announced that it will integrate Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery technology alongside the existing Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) batteries used by the Renault Group. This move is in collaboration with leading battery suppliers LG Energy Solution and CATL and aims to secure the supply of LFP batteries for several Renault and Alpine models, meeting demand until at least 2030.

A significant highlight of this initiative is the development of Cell-to-Pack technology, a world-first for pouch-type batteries. Spearheaded by Ampere and LG Energy Solution, this approach increases vehicle range by integrating more cells and thus more energy into a given space. Additionally, Cell-to-Pack technology is expected to reduce battery costs, contributing to a projected 20 per cent reduction in battery expenses for Ampere's vehicles by early 2026.

“In a fast-changing and competitive environment, our battery strategy is proof of the efficiency of Ampere’s open and horizontal approach with best-in-class partners, ensuring smart capital allocation, flexibility and rapid execution. This plan is in line with Ampere's roadmap to reduce costs by 40% before the next generation of vehicles”, said Josep Maria Recasens, Chief Operating Officer of Ampere.

Ampere's battery strategy is bolstered by collaborations with four key partners:

1. AESC: Located within the Ampere ElectriCity hub in Douai, France, for NCM batteries.

2. CATL: Providing LFP technology from their plant in Hungary.

3. LG Energy Solution: Supplying both NCM and LFP batteries from their facility in Poland.

4. Verkor: Contributing NCM technology from its gigafactory in Dunkerque, France.

These partnerships ensure that batteries are assembled at the Ampere ElectriCity hub in Douai, centralizing production and enhancing efficiency. The advantages of LFP technology, which has seen significant advancements in recent years, are becoming increasingly apparent. LFP batteries are less energy-intensive than their NCM counterparts, making them ideal for small and midsize cars. Moreover, their lower cost is crucial for making electric vehicles more affordable and accelerating their adoption across Europe.