At IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, the Volkswagen Group and its subsidiaries PowerCo and Elli unveiled three major “Made in Europe” battery and energy innovations. The announcements spotlight developments spanning solid-state cells, next-generation lithium-ion technology and large-scale stationary storage.
The Group’s first test vehicle equipped with a solid-state battery marks the latest milestone in advanced cell research. Developed in partnership with QuantumScape, Ducati and Audi, the demonstrator is based on Ducati’s all-electric V21L motorcycle and holds up to 980 QSE-5 cells. Its lithium-metal anode and ceramic separator promise higher energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety. Volkswagen engineers will continue refining the design over the coming months, advancing toward a commercial solid-state solution by the end of the decade.
Thomas Schmall, Group Board Member Technology: “The solid-state battery has the potential to become a game changer in e-mobility. Together with our partner QuantumScape, we aim to industrialize the technology and to take the next step towards series production. With PowerCo’s Unified Cell, we have created the perfect match: it is “solid state-ready” and enables rapid technology transfer to the Group’s vehicles as soon as the solid-state battery is ready. The Group’s battery strategy is pioneering and at the same time offers unprecedented economies of scale.”
Claudio Domenicali, CEO Ducati: “At Ducati, we have a long history of pushing the boundaries of technology to improve the riding experience both on the road and on the racetrack. Our pursuit of innovation has allowed us to achieve incredible results, including the record of six consecutive MotoGP Constructors’ titles. The high energy density achieved with solid state technology is a perfect fit for a high-performance vehicle like a sport motorcycle.”
Siva Sivaram, CEO QuantumScape: “Today, QuantumScape solid-state batteries moved closer to commercial reality. For more than a decade, we’ve worked closely with the Volkswagen Group to advance our breakthrough technology that delivers the range, fast charging, and safety that EV drivers want. Our focus now is on bringing this technology to market and redefining what high-performance electric mobility can be.”
PowerCo also introduced its Unified Cell—designed for high-volume production and optimized for the new Electric Urban Car Family from Volkswagen, ŠKODA and CUPRA. With an energy density of approximately 660 Wh/l, the prismatic cell offers around 10% more capacity than prior generations. Combined with a newly developed cell-to-pack battery system, it delivers up to 450 kilometers of range and forecast charging times under 25 minutes. Initial output will start late this year at the Salzgitter Gigafactory, followed by facilities in Valencia and St. Thomas, Canada. By standardizing packaging and enabling multiple chemistries—from LFP to NMC and future solid-state—PowerCo aims to supply up to 80% of the Group’s electric fleet.
In parallel, Volkswagen’s energy division Elli is building its first 20 MW/40 MWh PowerCenter at Salzgitter, scheduled to connect to the grid in December 2025. Using second-life battery packs from PowerCo, the installation will support Europe’s transition to renewables by balancing wind and solar generation and enabling energy trading.
Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo: “The battery cell is a key technology of the 21st century and plays a crucial role for the future of the European automotive industry. Today, we are taking a big step towards our goal of establishing battery technology in Europe. Technologically, our first series battery cell is absolutely on par with the established competitors. And we are already working on new customer products with LFP or Sodium-Ion chemistry. PowerCo is rapidly developing into a global cell manufacturer and the European Battery Tech Driver.”
Source: Volkswagen Group
