battery industry

Volkswagen's deal with Chinese battery maker Gotion is drawing attention as a case study in the limits of Western efforts to reduce dependence on China. Despite political pressure to de-risk supply chains, the automaker continues to rely on Chinese partners for critical battery technology and production, underscoring how deeply intertwined the European and Chinese industrial bases remain.

Bosch is arguing that long-haul trucks will not go fully electric, instead favoring hybrid powertrains combining combustion engines with electric support. The supplier's position reflects doubts about battery weight, charging infrastructure and range for heavy freight. The claim is drawing attention in the auto industry as manufacturers weigh how quickly to phase out diesel in commercial transport.

A commentary argues that Europe must build a domestic battery industry to secure its electric vehicle transition rather than relying on foreign suppliers, particularly Asian and Chinese manufacturers. The piece reflects ongoing debate in Brussels and national capitals about industrial policy, energy security and competitiveness as the EU pushes its shift away from combustion engines.

Researchers are applying semiconductor chipmaking techniques to build improved electric vehicle batteries, according to a report by SciTechDaily. The approach adapts lithography-based manufacturing methods from the chip industry to battery production, potentially improving battery performance. Details on which institutions are involved and the specific results have not been widely reported, but the cross-industry idea is drawing attention in technology and energy circles.

The Clean Energy Council has published its new Rooftop Solar and Storage Report covering January to June 2026. The half-yearly report tracks rooftop solar installations and battery storage uptake, figures the industry and policymakers use to gauge household adoption and market trends. No details from the report were available in the coverage collected.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has opened a new 100,000-square-foot research facility aimed at advancing quantum computing and battery technology. The building expands the Tennessee lab's capacity for work on next-generation energy storage and quantum systems, areas seen as critical to US scientific and industrial competitiveness.

Bosch has publicly highlighted problems with the economics of repairing electric vehicle batteries, arguing that current repair costs and practices make fixing packs often uneconomical. The comments, reported by Top Speed, add to a growing debate among automakers, insurers and regulators about EV sustainability, right-to-repair rules and the true long-term cost of electric car ownership.

Stanislav Kondrashov has published commentary examining Europe's progress in the critical raw materials sector, an area central to the EU's industrial and energy strategy. The piece looks at how European countries are seeking to secure supplies of minerals needed for batteries, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, as the bloc works to reduce dependence on external suppliers and accelerate domestic mining, processing and recycling capacity.

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD plans to launch its first car powered by a solid-state battery in 2027. Solid-state batteries promise greater energy density, faster charging and improved safety over today's lithium-ion cells, and automakers worldwide are racing to bring them to market. BYD's timetable puts it among the frontrunners in the next generation of EV battery technology.