Honda & EV battery R&D firm SES signs a joint development deal

KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Motor Co recently announced that it has signed a joint development agreement with SES Holdings Pte Ltd., a Boston-based EV battery company. The agreement concerns the development of lithium-metal batteries that are expected to realise higher energy density over current lithium-ion units.

Besides working side-by-side with SES on lithium-metal batteries, Honda plans to acquire a 2% stake in SES AI Corporation, a company soon to list on the New York Stock Exchange via a special-purpose acquisition company transaction and the private investment in public equity offering by the SPAC.

With Honda looking at a more electric-driven future, it seems to be the right move, as one has to look into new avenues enhancing the product’s performance and range.

Shinji Aoyama, managing executive officer in charge of electrification at Honda Motor Company on the agreement said, “The battery is an essential component of EVs, and Honda has been concurrently looking into several options toward the realization of high-capacity, safe and low-cost next-generation batteries.”

He further added, “Recognising the advanced technologies of SES, Honda signed a joint development agreement with SES with the aim to establish a good relationship with SES and expeditiously generate substantial achievements through our joint research activities. Honda will continue to establish collaborative relationships with companies which have advanced technologies, as needed, to offer highly-competitive and attractive EVs to our customers.”

Further scaling its range, Honda has teamed up with the Japanese government along with Nissan and Toyota to develop solid-state batteries. Not to forget, its ties with China-based firm, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Limited (CATL) concerning joint development, stable supply, and recycling & reuse of EV batteries.

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