China's Envision AESC Group will start mass producing in 2024 batteries that will give an electric vehicle a driving range of at least 1,000 kilometers.

Envision will double the number of battery cells in each car, which will make the vehicles heavier but the upside will be the increased driving range. It is also hoping to increase production capacity by 10 times the current level by the end of this decade.

Envision is a supplier of Nissan Motor and provides the battery for Nissan's Leaf whose driving range is around 450 kilometers now. Envision will pack the cells closely together and improve storage efficiency, which will shorten charging time by around 30% to under 20 minutes.

Envision will start building a new plant in Ibaraki Prefecture near Tokyo that will begin production in 2024. The plant will include a production line for new batteries, using energy from solar panels within the premises that will cut its carbon dioxide emissions to zero.

As global demand for EV batteries rises, there is growing concern about the supply of raw materials. Large carmakers are already working to secure minor metals and other critical minerals. Envision AESC said it will work with the alliance of Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi Motors to secure minor metal interests.

Source: Nikkei Asia

Image: Nikkei