On February 23, 2026, Ampere, the electric vehicle and software division of Renault Group, entered into a joint development agreement with Basquevolt to accelerate lithium metal–based battery technology for next-generation electric vehicles. The collaboration aims to meet Pre-A Sample prototype requirements and to validate performance under real-world automotive conditions.
Basquevolt’s lithium metal–based battery technology combines a polymer electrolyte with an advanced metal anode, offering a substantial increase in energy density compared to conventional liquid-electrolyte lithium-ion cells. This approach has the potential to deliver more compact and lightweight battery packs, enhanced thermal stability, and faster charging—key attributes for future electric mobility solutions.
The partnership underscores the strategic importance of combining advanced scientific research with scalable engineering and cost efficiency. After more than a year of preliminary collaboration, Basquevolt has demonstrated the ability to achieve high energy density while significantly lowering overall pack costs. The simplified manufacturing process enabled by the polymer electrolyte is projected to reduce capital investment by approximately 30% per gigawatt-hour in a standard gigafactory and to cut energy consumption by around 30% per kilowatt-hour of battery production.
Pablo Fernández, CEO of Basquevolt, described the agreement as a major milestone in bringing polymer electrolyte technology closer to mass market deployment. Nicolas Racquet, Vice President of Vehicle & Powertrain Engineering at Ampere, emphasized the focus on validating this next-generation technology under automotive conditions and accelerating its introduction to meet evolving customer needs.
Ampere and Basquevolt intend to leverage their respective expertise to pave the way for commercial implementation of lithium metal–based batteries in electric vehicles, reinforcing their joint commitment to innovation and sustainability in the e-mobility sector.
Source: Renault Group Media
