BatteryTech News & Updates—2026 #26

Hello Battery-Tech community and professionals. Here is your weekly update on major developments in the global battery industry, energy storage, and EV market.

This week includes multiple sodium-ion announcements from CATL, including its Tener Sodium storage system and a direct-sales platform for storage cells. We also cover FAW Jiefang’s sodium-ion truck trial results, a €60 million preliminary deal for Lyten to acquire Northvolt’s former Heide site, and policy moves in Europe affecting PHEV imports and recycling exports.

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⭕ BATTERY TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

🔋 IntelLiGent Develops Cobalt-Free High-Voltage EV Cell

SINTEF and partners in the IntelLiGent project developed a generation-3b EV cell using a cobalt-free LNMO cathode, silicon-graphite anode, water-based binders, and an optimized electrolyte. The team scaled to 60+ pouch cells for module validation. Read more

🔋 TIES Unveils 314Ah and 588Ah Liquid-Solid-State Cells

TIES, a Nio partner, introduced 314Ah and 588Ah large-format liquid-solid-state cells using in-situ solidification. The LFP-carbon design targets higher energy density and added safety for EV and grid storage use. Read more

🔋 CATL Solid-State Program Progresses, Mass Rollout Not Expected Before 2030

CATL said its solid-state battery program is at level four out of nine, with work focused on interface resistance and packaging integrity. The update notes that true solid-state deployment is unlikely before 2030. Read more

🔋 ProLogium and Elysian Sign MoU on Electric Aircraft Batteries

ProLogium and Elysian Aircraft BV signed an MoU to explore lithium ceramic batteries for all-electric aircraft. The companies will assess 320–420 Wh/kg battery packs aimed at 750–1,000 km ranges. Read more

⭕ ENERGY STORAGE & GRID

🔋 CATL Introduces Tener Sodium Modular Storage System

CATL announced Tener Sodium, described as a field-validated modular sodium-ion energy storage system delivering 30+ MWh per installation with 1–8 hour durations. CATL also cited a 15,000-cycle life, 92% capacity at -20°C, and added safety features. Read more

🔋 CATL Presents Commercially Mature TENER Sodium Storage in Munich

CATL unveiled its TENER Sodium Energy Storage System in Munich on June 22, 2026, describing it as commercially mature and validated in real-world settings. The company cited a 30 MWh modular design and a goal of 1 GWh shipments by year-end. Read more

🔋 NatPower and Tesla Plan 25+ GWh Megapack Deployments in Europe

NatPower and Tesla signed a multi-year agreement to deploy more than 25 GWh of Megapack storage across Italy and the UK. Tesla will provide hardware and EPC services, plus trading support and revenue warranties via Autobidder. Read more

🔋 VW Elli Launches Vehicle-to-Grid Package in Germany

Volkswagen Group’s Elli is rolling out a V2G package in Germany that includes a bidirectional DC charger, a dedicated energy tariff, and an app. The offering is designed to let EV owners feed electricity back to the grid for savings. Read more

🔋 BYD Debuts Residential Home-Energy Ecosystem in Europe

BYD launched a residential energy ecosystem at Smarter E Europe 2026 in Munich, including Smart Ecobox, Backup-Box, and AC Charging Box. The company also presented the Battery-Box Mega for homes and small businesses. Read more

🔋 China Sets 2030 Targets for Power, Charging, Storage, VPPs, and Hydrogen

China’s NDRC and NEA released the 15th Five-Year Plan to 2030, targeting 30% new energy in power and 25% non-fossil consumption. The plan also references 50 GW EV charging capacity, 300 GW storage, 50 GW VPPs, and 2 Mt green hydrogen. Read more

🔋 CATL Launches CATL Mall Direct Sales for Storage Cells

CATL launched CATL Mall, a direct-sales platform offering small-batch orders for its 100Ah, 280Ah, and 314Ah energy storage cells. The company said the minimum order is three boxes, aimed at lowering barriers for smaller integrators. Read more

⭕ INDUSTRY & MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

🔋 Lyten in €60M Preliminary Deal to Buy Northvolt’s Former Heide Site

Lyten reached a preliminary agreement to acquire the former Northvolt plant near Heide for about €60 million. The plan includes a cell factory, storage hub, and data center, with local authorities reviewing the proposal and an aim of 1,000 jobs. Read more

🔋 NextStar Energy Starts Windsor Battery Pack Production Line

NextStar Energy began production on a new battery pack line in Windsor, Ontario, completing cell-to-pack integration on site. The company said the expansion supports North American supply chain resilience and growing energy storage demand. Read more

🔋 PNT Opens Gumi Facility for Cathode Materials and Cells

PNT opened a new 66,050 m² plant in Gumi supported by a 150 billion won investment. The site produces cathode active materials and battery cells, adds 200 jobs, and supports PNT’s move toward integrated battery solutions. Read more

🔋 Tesla Plans 20% Output Increase at Giga Berlin

Tesla said it will raise weekly output at its Berlin site by 20% to 7,500 vehicles and add 1,000 jobs. The company cited a rebound in European demand and reported Model Y registrations up more than 100% in early 2026. Read more

🔋 Forge Nano and Samsung SDI Plan 3 GWh North Carolina Gigafactory

Forge Nano and Samsung SDI plan a 3 GWh/year gigafactory in Morrisville, North Carolina, with production targeted for 2028. The $300–330 million project is DOE-backed and combines Forge Nano’s ALD nanocoating with Samsung SDI manufacturing. Read more

🔋 Verkor and Capgemini Work on Data-Driven Optimization at Dunkerque

Verkor partnered with Capgemini to implement automation and real-time data analysis at its Dunkerque gigafactory. The effort targets faster production, cost control, and quality management for EV battery output in Europe. Read more

🔋 BYD Reorganizes R&D Into Five Brand Divisions

BYD is restructuring its central R&D into five brand divisions: Dynasty, Ocean, Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, and Yangwang. The company will shift engineering work to each division and introduce independent profit-and-loss reporting following a 20% sales drop. Read more

🔋 Volkswagen Considers Large Job Cuts and Potential Plant Closures

Volkswagen is weighing cuts of up to 100,000 jobs as part of a restructuring of its 657,000-person workforce. Reports cite possible closures at Hanover, Zwickau, Emden, and Audi’s Neckarsulm, alongside union pushback. Read more

⭕ MINING & BATTERY MATERIALS

🔋 Rock Tech Lithium Secures Option on Ontario Victory Project

Rock Tech Lithium took an exclusive option on the 9,875-hectare Victory Project in northwest Ontario. The company reported two high-grade LCT pegmatites with assays up to 5.11% Li₂O and plans staged exploration. Read more

🔋 Ex-China Lithium Processing Remains Limited Despite Demand Shift

Fastmarkets reported that while demand for lithium and battery materials is diversifying, midstream processing outside China remains limited. China is projected to control over 70% of lithium processing and 84% of cathode active materials by 2026. Read more

⭕ BATTERY RECYCLING & SUSTAINABILITY

🔋 Europe Seeks to Retain Battery Recycling for Critical Materials

Europe exports much of its battery black mass and aluminum scrap to Southeast Asia, which experts say weakens regional supply chains. Calls include measures in the Circular Economy Act to curb exports, simplify waste rules, and require EU-based recycling. Read more

🔋 Altilium Raises $1M to Expand UK EV Battery Recycling

Altilium raised $1 million from more than 750 investors to expand its ACT3 recycling plant in Plymouth, described as the UK’s first commercial facility. The company’s EcoAnode and EcoCathode processes target recovery of lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite. Read more

⭕ EV APPLICATIONS

🔋 FAW Jiefang Tests Sodium-Ion Battery in Heavy-Duty Truck

FAW Jiefang tested a J6P electric tractor with a 339 kWh sodium-ion battery from HiNa Battery over seven months and 15,000 km. The company reported over 90% capacity retention at -40°C, 20–25 minute charging, and 8,000+ cycles. Read more

🔋 CATL and Octopus Energy Plan Heavy-Truck Battery Swap Network in Europe

CATL and Octopus Energy will form a 50-50 joint venture to launch a heavy-truck battery swap network in Europe. The partners plan UK pilot stations by 2027 and expansion to more than 30 sites by 2035, targeting support for 300,000 electric trucks. Read more

🔋 CATL Targets 10,000–20,000 EVs With Sodium-Ion Cells by End-2026

CATL said it aims to equip 10,000–20,000 EVs with sodium-ion batteries by the end of 2026 and plans to launch its Tener Sodium storage system in China in September. The company cited energy density, cold-weather performance, and cost parity. Read more

🔋 EVE Energy and Stark Future Extend Off-Road Electric Motorcycle Partnership

EVE Energy and Stark Future expanded their partnership for the 2026 season to improve off-road electric motorcycle racing performance. The companies cited 26120 cells at 310 Wh/kg, faster charging, and high-power output across three VARG variants. Read more

⭕ POLICY & REGULATION

🔋 EU Proposes Tariffs on Chinese-Built Plug-In Hybrids

The European Commission proposed tariffs on Chinese-built plug-in hybrids, alleging they exploit EU EV incentives. The proposal could remove duty-free status for certain models as Brussels seeks to protect local automakers and close an EV-related loophole. Read more



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Latest Job Opportunities

  • Latest Job Openings on LinkedIn (Daily Updated)

    💼 Jobs in Europe (all jobs can be atributed to Europe as region):

    • Product Designer – R3 Robotics – Germany – View details
    • Product Owner (Hardware and Software) – R3 Robotics – Germany – View details
    • Field Service Technician (After-Sales) – EnerSys – France – View details

    💼 Jobs in North America (all jobs can be atributed to North America as region):

    • Battery Application Engineer – LG Energy Solution – United States – View details
    • Process Development Engineer – Cathode Materials – Stratus Materials Inc. – United States – View details
    • Staff Battery Engineer – Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc. – United States – View details
    • Mechanical Engineer – Battery Sorting, Energy Storage – Redwood Materials – United States – View details
    • Process Engineer I – Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America – United States – View details
    • Application Engineer – Proterra – United States – View details
    • Director Corporate Finance – Zeta Energy Corp. – United States – View details
    • Test Engineer – Invinity Energy Systems – Canada – View details

Thank you for reading this week’s update. More reporting and prior editions are available on the Battery-Tech Network. Subscribe and stay connected for weekly battery, materials, and energy storage news.

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