Stellantis recently revealed its investment in the French sodium-ion battery startup, Tiamat. This strategic move aims to diversify Stellantis’ portfolio and facilitate the mass production of electric vehicles (EVs) while simultaneously mitigating the impact of resource scarcity.
While the specific financial details of Stellantis’ investment remain undisclosed, it is part of an initial fundraising round totaling 150 million euros for Tiamat. These funds will be utilized, in part, for the establishment of a new battery factory in northern France. This facility, referred to as the fifth gigafactory in the region for the electric vehicle supply chain, is projected to have an initial capacity of 0.7 gigawatt-hours by 2026. Furthermore, there are plans to increase this capacity to 5 GWh by the year 2029.
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Tiamat, originating from France’s state institute for scientific research CNRS in 2017, distinguishes itself by producing sodium-ion batteries that do not rely on lithium—a metal in high demand due to the global surge in electrification. Instead, Tiamat opts for sodium, a more abundant resource. Although these batteries are more cost-effective, they come with a trade-off of reduced mileage, making them particularly suitable for small vehicles. Tiamat compensates for this limitation by emphasizing faster charging capabilities.
Ned Curic, Director of Engineering and Technology at Stellantis, expressed the company’s commitment to exploring sustainable and affordable battery options that utilize readily available raw materials. This aligns with Stellantis’ Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, focusing on achieving carbon neutrality by 2038.
Stellantis’ investment in Tiamat signifies a proactive approach to address challenges associated with resource scarcity and contribute to the development of more environmentally friendly EV technologies. This move reflects a broader industry trend towards exploring innovative solutions for sustainable mobility in the face of increasing global demand for electric vehicles.
