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May 28, 2024
Mazda and Panasonic in Talks to Partner on EV Batteries
Mazda Motor Corporation and Panasonic Energy are in talks to establish a battery partnership to power Mazda's future electric vehicles (EVs). The two companies are discussing a medium- to long-term partnership to "meet demand for battery EVs and automotive batteries in a rapidly expanding market," according to a statement from Mazda.
If the partnership is finalized, Panasonic would supply Mazda with lithium-ion batteries manufactured at its plants in Japan and North America. Mazda plans to deploy EVs with Panasonic batteries in the second half of the decade, likely around 2025 to 2027 or later.
Mazda is a latecomer to the EV market, but it has been making aggressive moves in recent years to catch up. The company plans to launch its first mass-market EV, the MX-30, in Europe later this year. Mazda also plans to launch a new EV platform in 2025, which will underpin a range of future EVs.
Panasonic is a major supplier of batteries to the automotive industry, and it is also a major supplier to Tesla. The company has been investing heavily in battery technology in recent years, and it is one of the leading suppliers of lithium-ion batteries in the world.
A partnership between Mazda and Panasonic would be a major boost for both companies. Mazda would gain access to Panasonic's battery technology and manufacturing expertise, while Panasonic would gain a new customer for its batteries. The partnership would also help to accelerate the development of EVs in Japan.
