On June 18, 2026, QuantumScape Corporation and Honda R&D Co., Ltd. formalized a joint research agreement to advance solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. The multi-year program aims to combine the companies’ expertise to accelerate development of the QuantumScape battery platform and refine associated manufacturing processes.
This collaboration follows Honda’s completion of a detailed technology evaluation, which included hands-on testing of QuantumScape’s solid-state cells and benchmarking against industry standards. Honda’s research division concluded that the technology offered unique advantages in energy density and safety, prompting the move to a formal research and development partnership.
“QS technology demonstrated compelling and unique advantages during our evaluation,” said Atsushi Ogawa, Chief Operating Officer, Research Center of Excellence, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. “We see potential for QS technology to add value across a range of applications, including automotive, and we are excited to move forward into the next phase of our partnership.”
“Honda is a leading global automaker renowned for its engineering excellence and product quality across automotive and other applications worldwide, and its evaluation represents one of the most rigorous assessments of our technology to date,” said Dr. Siva Sivaram, CEO and President of QS. “This agreement reflects the growing confidence in QS solid-state lithium-metal batteries to enable safer, higher-density energy storage.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the two teams will focus on materials optimization, cell architecture, and scalable manufacturing methods. The intent is to leverage Honda’s engineering capabilities and production expertise alongside QuantumScape’s proprietary solid electrolyte and lithium-metal anode design.
Solid-state batteries promise several improvements over conventional lithium-ion systems, including higher energy density, faster charging, and enhanced safety through reduced flammability. Industry observers view the QuantumScape–Honda partnership as a key step toward commercializing these next-generation cells for electric vehicles and other high-performance applications.
Both companies will share research findings and jointly work to meet technical milestones. The collaboration underscores the growing interest among automakers and battery innovators in solid‐state technology as they seek to overcome limitations of current lithium-ion cells and support a global transition to cleaner transportation.
Source: QuantumScape News Release
