Subaru Corporation and Panasonic Energy, collaborate on the supply of automotive lithium-ion batteries, alongside the construction of a new battery factory in Oizumi, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.
Panasonic Energy will deliver next-generation cylindrical lithium-ion batteries for Subaru’s future battery electric vehicles (BEVs. This agreement marks a significant step toward a durable partnership focused on addressing the rising demand for EVs and advanced battery technology.
Subaru has set its sights on having BEVs account for 50% of its anticipated 1.2 million global sales by 2030. The cooperation with Panasonic Energy is a cornerstone of this strategy. Panasonic will commence battery production at its Suminoe factory in Osaka by 2027, with the new joint facility in Gunma set to come online in 2028. Together, these two sites aim for a combined annual output of 20GWh by the close of the decade, significantly boosting Japan’s capacity for producing automotive batteries.
As Japan positions storage batteries as a vital asset in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, the government is intensifying efforts to build a stronger domestic battery supply chain and sharpen the competitive edge of its industries.
Subaru and Panasonic Energy’s collaboration contributes to strengthening Japan’s capabilities in cylindrical lithium-ion battery production, while expanding the country’s manufacturing prowess. The Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has given its backing to the initiative, underscoring its critical role in ensuring a stable battery supply.
Subaru President and CEO Atsushi Osaki emphasized the company’s forward momentum in electrification, stating, “Subaru is accelerating its efforts toward electrification to contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society. With a history of manufacturing that spans over 100 years, both Subaru and Panasonic Energy will continue to enhance their world-leading competitiveness and create the next 100 years of history.”
Kazuo Tadanobu, President and CEO of Panasonic Energy, noted the partnership’s broader significance: “Through this collaboration, we are poised to drive the expansion of EVs and boost the competitiveness of Japan’s battery industry. Our ultimate goal is to foster a sustainable society, and we are dedicated to achieving this mission.”
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