Chris Infotainment

Expansion of SK On in the U.S. Energy Storage Market SK On has made a significant breakthrough by securing a large-scale Energy Storage System (ESS) project in the United States. This marks the company’s first major contract for ESS batteries since its launch in 2021, signaling a strategic shift towards expanding its presence in the American market. On the 4th, SK On announced that it had signed an agreement to supply a 1GWh-scale ESS with Flatiron Energy Development, a renewable energy company based in Colorado. ESS systems are crucial for managing the intermittent nature of solar and wind power, which generate electricity unpredictably. Under this deal, SK On will provide container-type ESS products equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for a Massachusetts-based project set to commence in 2026. In addition to this, SK On has gained the right to priority negotiations for a 6.2GWh-scale ESS project that Flatiron is developing across multiple states, including Massachu...

The Global Battery Boom and Its Implications The global battery production is surging at an unprecedented rate, far outpacing the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems. This imbalance has led to a significant oversupply in the market, which is expected to drive down prices. Chinese manufacturers are playing a major role in this overcapacity, with their production capabilities continuing to expand despite slowing demand. This trend is part of a broader shift in the EV industry, where supply is now three times greater than demand. While this may seem like a positive development for consumers, it poses challenges for manufacturers who must navigate the complexities of excess inventory and fluctuating market conditions. Key Statistics on Battery Production According to S&P Mobility data, global EV battery production capacity is projected to reach 3,930 gigawatt hours this year, while demand is forecasted at just 1,161 GWh. These figures do not even account f...

The Future of Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling is emerging as a promising business opportunity, despite the challenges posed by U.S. trade policies and an ongoing economic slowdown. According to management consultancy firm Arthur D Little (ADL), the EV industry is at a pivotal point where sustainability efforts are becoming increasingly important. The focus on recycling aligns with broader global initiatives aimed at promoting environmental responsibility within the automotive sector. Akshay Prasad, principal at ADL’s Southeast Asia automotive and manufacturing practices, emphasized that EV battery recycling could become a key business between 2030 and 2040, shifting the industry’s attention away from battery manufacturing. Lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in EVs, contain critical raw materials such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP), nickel, manganese, and cobalt. Reusing these materials supports a circular economy for batteries an...

Strategic Shift in Battery Sourcing for the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV General Motors (GM) has announced that the upcoming 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV will be equipped with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries sourced from outside North America. This decision comes despite GM’s ongoing efforts to establish domestic LFP battery production in the United States and the presence of import tariffs on such components. The automaker plans to source these batteries from China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) for the first two years of the new Bolt’s production. This move is intended as a temporary measure while U.S. manufacturing capabilities for LFP batteries ramp up. Although GM aims to eventually use domestically produced batteries in the Bolt, this transition will not occur immediately. This sourcing strategy highlights a shift in GM’s approach to battery supply chains. Currently, all of GM’s electric vehicles, including the entry-level Chevy Equinox EV and the high-end Cadillac Celest...