![QuantumScape unveils beating heart of its solid-state battery tech: the FlexFrame cell [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/01/QuantumScape-battery-hero.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
QuantumScape unveils beating heart of its solid-state battery tech: the FlexFrame cell [Video]
Solid-state battery developer QuantumScape has provided further evidence that it’s the real deal in eventually achieving scaled cell production that could one day enable EV modules that are safer, charge faster, and go farther. In the YouTube video below, QuantumScape explains the design of its FlexFrame battery cell, which expands and contracts… similar to a beating heart.
While it will likely still be quite a while before we see QuantumScape’s ($QS) solid-state battery technology in EVs available for purchase, the startup appears more poised than ever to be the one who finally cracks the code in reaching not only scaled production but seamless integration with current assembly practices and ideally, at or near cost parity with current lithium-ion cells.
It was 2022 when the advanced battery technology company first introduced the public to its 24-layer A0 prototype cells before sending them off to automotive partners for testing. In Q1 2023, we learned QuantumScape’s first commercial product would be a 5 amp-hour solid-state lithium metal battery cell we’ve learned is called the QSE-5.
Since then, QuantumScape has touted one performance milestone after another, achieving higher energy densities and exceeding its own targets. Earlier this month, PowerCo – the battery arm of longtime QuantumScape investor Volkswagen Group, confirmed the encouraging performance of the former’s A0 prototype cells via its own testing, providing further confidence in the technology as a viable improvement to current EV battery cells.
In a video posted today, QuantumScape digs into the design of the A0 prototype battery cells that enable the commercial design in the works. Here’s FlexFrame.
QuantumScape explains its proprietary battery design
The YouTube video below features detailed explanations from QuantumScape’s principal product lead, Chris Dekmezian, senior director of cell design & manufacturing, Daniel Braithwaite, plus associate professor of mechanical & aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan, and QuantumScape consultant, Venkat Viswanathan.
The three individuals do an excellent job of clearly and concisely explaining how QuantumScape’s unique FlexFrame design works, what benefits the cells and their components serve, and what sort of nuances still need to be figured out before we see these cells packed into modules for passenger vehicles.
FlexFrame offers a unique battery solution that combines prismatic and pouch cell designs to safely handle the expansion and contraction of the solid-state battery during charging and discharging. All while giving QuantumScape’s lithium batteries the environment to perfect at their best. Check it out.
There are truthfully dozens of juicy tidbits here we’d love to quote for you, but genuinely think the information is best served straight from the mouths of the experts.
While terms like “solid-state lithium metal” and “hosted anodes” may sound like intimidating terms, the guys at QuantumScape do an amazing job explaining the technology in great detail alongside the nuances already being addressed, looking forward to commercial production.
Take it away guys…
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Tesla has wiped off the 26,000 miles on the odometer of a Cybertruck in service, scratched the vehicle, and then returned it to the owner like nothing happened.
A Tesla Cybertruck owner in Oregon was quite surprised when he went to pick up his Cybertruck, which was in service to install a new lightbar, fix some panel gaps, and figure out an ABS alert that wouldn’t go away.
According to a thread on the Cybertruck Owners Club, Tesla had wiped the odometer clean on the Foundation Series ‘Cyberbeast’, which had over 26,000 miles on it.
The owner shared a video of the Cybertruck’s odometer going from 0 to 1 mile for the second time:
The odometer on the vehicle was wiped and both the app and service many also showed the same mileage.
The owner shared a screenshot of the app after 15 miles:
He went to the online forum for advice:
Anyone else have their odometer Thanos-snapped after a controller swap? Can Tesla unsnap it or am I forever “True Mileage Unknown”?
Interestingly, Tesla is currently being sued for allegedly messing with the odometers of its vehicles. However, the lawsuit is for accelerating the mileage, not reducing it, like in this case.
It was not the only surprise from this service visit for this Cybertruck owner.
The owner was not satisfied with the lightbar installation, which he claims has a half-inch gap on the passenger side while it is flush on the driver side. He wrote:
It’s basically smiling sideways at everyone.
It’s also unclear why Tesla was messing with the vehicle’s tailgate, but it ended up having a bolt moving around it, causing scratches and Tesla left a bolt unbolted:
At this point, the truck was returned with more problems than it had when it entered service.
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Nissan is on the brink of collapsing. After the Honda deal fell through, it looks like another Japanese automaker is tossing it a lifeline. As Nissan struggles to stay afloat, Toyota is emerging as a potential “backer” in a new tie-up.
Are Toyota and Nissan partnering?
“If we don’t take action now, the situation will only get worse,” Nissan’s President, Ivan Espinosa, said during a press conference on May 13.
Facing falling sales, ballooning debt, and slumping profits, Nissan introduced a new recovery plan last week, “Re:Nissan.” The struggling automaker aims to cut costs by 250 billion yen to return to profitability by FY 2026.
As part of its efforts to turn the business around, Nissan will cut 20,000 jobs by FY2027. It’s also abandoning plans to build a new EV battery facility in Japan. Seven other plants will be closed, including one in Thailand and two in Japan.
After its planned EV merger with Honda fell through in February, rumours surfaced that Nissan was scrambling to find another partner.
According to a new report from Japan’s MainiChi, a Toyota executive recently reached out to Nissan about a potential partnership. The tie-up could involve Toyota acting as Nissan’s “backer” to support it while it restructures.
Nissan and Toyota both unveiled a wave of new electric vehicles set to roll out over the next few years. The upgraded Nissan LEAF EV will arrive in the US and Canada later this year with more range, an NACS port, and a new crossover style. It will be one of ten new Nissan or Infiniti models to arrive by 2027.
In Europe, Nissan will launch the next-gen LEAF later this year, followed by the new Micra EV and Qashqai electric crossover. In 2026, the new Nissan Juke EV will join the lineup.
Meanwhile, Toyota’s upgraded bZ electric SUV (formerly the “bZ4X”) will arrive at US dealerships in the second half of 2025.
In 2026, the smaller C-HR electric SUV and rugged bZ Woodland EV will follow. By the end of the year, Europe will see three new Toyota electric SUVs: the C-HR+, Urban Cruiser, and upgraded bZ4X.
Electrek’s Take
Toyota already has a stake in several Japanese automakers, including Subaru (20%), Mazda (5.1%), Suzuki (4.6%), and Isuzu (5.9%), so backing Nissan wouldn’t come as a shock.
Espinosa said Nissan was open to new partnerships. Nissan’s chief said the company will continue collaborating with others, including Mitsubishi, which will use the upcoming LEAF as the basis for its new EV for North America.
Japanese carmakers have been notoriously slow in shifting to all-electric vehicles, which is now costing them in key overseas markets like Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and others.
Chinese EV leaders, like BYD, are quickly expanding overseas to drive growth this year. Next year, it will launch its first kei car (see the first spy shots), or mini EV, which is already being called “a huge threat” to Japan.
Pooling resources and teaming up may be the best (or only) option at this point. Can Toyota help Nissan turn things around? Or will it be too little, too late? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Check back soon for details. This is a developing story. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.
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