Fast Charging: Volvo Bets on StoreDot Technology

After forming a joint venture with NorthVolt, Volvo partners with another battery specialist.

With the development of fast chargers and technical advancements in electric vehicles, charging times have already significantly decreased. However, many market players aim to do even better in the coming years. This is notably the case for the Israeli company StoreDot, which has just formed a partnership with Volvo Cars Tech Fund, the Swedish manufacturer’s venture capital branch.

160 km of range in 5 minutes

StoreDot relies on silicon-dominant anode technology to develop extremely fast-charging batteries. “StoreDot is working on a pioneering technology which, according to the company, should enable the production of batteries capable of 100% electric range of 160 km in just five minutes of charging”, explains Volvo. “By investing in StoreDot, Volvo Cars has secured access to all technology resulting from this collaboration.”

As a reminder, the Swedish brand plans to become a 100% electric manufacturer by 2030. Its Polestar division has already abandoned thermal engines. The plug-in hybrid Polestar 1 was indeed equipped with a hybrid system, but it has already been phased out.

Mass production in 2024

StoreDot will primarily work with the joint venture that Volvo created with Northvolt, Sweden’s leading battery manufacturer. Through this new partnership, the Israeli company will accelerate the development of its technology. It aims to start mass production by 2024.

Of course, Volvo is not the only automaker announcing significant advances in the battery domain. A few days ago, Nissan promised the arrival of solid-state batteries in its cars by 2028. These batteries have an energy density roughly twice that of conventional lithium-ion batteries. They are also cheaper and charge faster.

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