SES AI Corporation, a leader in Li-Metal battery technology, has entered a pivotal phase in its collaboration with Hyundai Motor and Kia, intensifying efforts towards innovative electric vehicle (EV) solutions. This strategic move includes constructing a state-of-the-art development and testing facility in Ui-Wang, South Korea, showcasing a significant stride in battery production and technological integration within the automotive industry.
Key Highlights:
- New Development Phase: SES AI advances its partnership with Hyundai Motor and Kia by moving into the next phase of their joint development agreement.
- Innovative Facility Construction: A new facility in Ui-Wang, South Korea will focus on the development, assembly, and testing of B-sample cells, set to begin operations later this year.
- World’s Firsts: This collaboration marks the first instance of a lithium-metal battery line being built within an automotive OEM’s facility and establishes SES AI as the first company to engage in two B-sample development JDAs.
- Expansion of Capabilities: Alongside the B-sample development, SES AI is also adapting an existing A-sample line for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) battery cells.
As part of this agreement, Hyundai Motor and Kia will work alongside SES AI to establish one of the world’s largest capacity Li-Metal battery lines. This facility is not only a leap towards commercial production but also a milestone in the battery industry, marking the first such initiative globally.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to deepen our longstanding partnership with Hyundai Motor and Kia, whose commitment to growing the electric vehicle market has made it the second-largest seller of these automobiles in the U.S.,” stated Qichao Hu, CEO of SES AI. The collaboration initially began in 2021, focusing on Li-Metal batteries for both UAM and EV applications.
Chang Hwan Kim, Senior Vice President at Hyundai Motor and Kia, emphasized the strategic importance of this advancement: “SES AI’s Li-Metal experience will be an important enabling piece of the technology portfolio that Hyundai Motor and Kia are investing in as part of their commitment to develop the world’s best product lineup and to ultimately become a carbon-neutral mobility solution.”
SES AI, based in Woburn, Massachusetts with additional operations in Shanghai and Seoul, is supported by significant automotive players like Hyundai Motor, Kia, General Motors Co., and Honda Motor Co. This backing underscores the pivotal role SES AI plays in driving forward the future of electric transportation through its cutting-edge battery technology and AI integration.
For more information on SES AI and its innovative strides in battery technology, visit www.ses.ai.
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