Ampere, Renault Group’s EV and software subsidiary, has entered into a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Stratus Materials to evaluate the use of cobalt-free LXMOTM cathode materials in future Renault electric vehicles. The collaboration supports Ampere’s strategy to advance next-generation battery technologies beyond current NMC and LFP chemistries.
Highlights
- Joint Development Agreement focuses on testing Stratus Materials’ high-energy, cobalt-free LXMOTM cathode in Ampere’s EV battery cells.
- LXMOTM delivers NMC-level energy density with the cost, safety, and abuse tolerance of LFP.
- Testing at Ampere’s Battery Cell Innovation Lab in Lardy, France, will determine suitability for Renault Group EV platforms.
- Marks Ampere’s third phase in battery evolution—following NMC and upcoming LFP deployment in 2026.
Advancing Cobalt-Free Energy Storage
The partnership centers on Stratus Materials’ proprietary Lithium X Manganese Oxide (LXMOTM) cathode, designed to achieve high energy density without the environmental and supply-chain constraints associated with cobalt. According to Ampere, the technology could enable battery pack-level energy densities up to twice that of current NMC or LFP systems, offering enhanced range, improved safety, and reduced cost.
“Ampere is looking closely at high-energy cobalt-free materials because of their potential advantages compared to incumbent cathode materials,” said Nicolas Racquet, VP Vehicle & Powertrain Engineering at Ampere. “Stratus’s LXMOTM CAMs have gained our attention because of their unique and compelling combination of performance, cost, safety, and cycle life.”
Jay Whitacre, CEO of Stratus Materials, added, “We are thrilled to have LXMOTM selected by Ampere and Renault Group as a candidate for deployment into their future vehicle portfolio. Our progress to date has been strong, and we look forward to advancing toward full vehicle integration.”
Strengthening Ampere’s Battery Strategy
This collaboration represents the next step in Ampere’s comprehensive battery roadmap, which began with high-density NMC technology, continues with LFP adoption in 2026, and now explores cobalt-free solutions. The company’s newly inaugurated Battery Cell Innovation Lab plays a central role in validating emerging materials that could enhance Renault Group’s EV competitiveness and sustainability.
For more information, visit ampere.cars.
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