SES AI signs lithium metal battery joint development agreement with Hyundai Motor Company and Kia

SES AI Corporation announced on the 25th that it signed an agreement with Hyundai Motor Company and Kia to enter the next stage of the existing joint development agreement (JDA) to begin development of lithium metal battery B-samples.

As part of this agreement, Hyundai Motor Company, Kia and SES AI plan to build a development, assembly and testing facility dedicated to B-sample cells in Uiwang, Korea, starting late this year. SES AI will build and operate one of the world’s largest capacity lithium metal lines within this new facility.

By expanding cooperation with Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors, SES AI has become a company conducting two lithium metal battery B-sample development JDA. SES AI announced its first B-sample JDA with another major automobile manufacturer in December 2023. In addition to these two B-sample lines, another A-sample line is being converted to produce urban air mobility (UAM) battery cells.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to further strengthen our long-standing partnership with Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors, which have become the second-largest auto sellers in the U.S., contributing significantly to the growth of the electric vehicle market,” said Chichao Hu, founder and CEO of SES AI. “We are committed to delivering on our promise to leverage AI to develop next-generation electric vehicle batteries that achieve the best combination of energy density, manufacturability, and near-100% safety assurance.”

SES AI and Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors have been collaborating since 2021 on a variety of technologies, including lithium metal batteries for UAM as well as EV applications. “SES AI’s lithium metal experience is an important component of the technology portfolio that Hyundai Motor Company and Kia are investing in to develop a world-leading product lineup and ultimately grow into carbon-neutral mobility solutions,” said Chang-Hwan Kim, Executive Director of Electrified Energy Solutions at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors. “It will be,” he said.

Hello Tea reporter Lee Chang-hyeon |