Volkswagen hedges battery bets, looks to form JV with Varta
Volkswagen E-Up! Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
As Volkswagen looks to move forward with plans to build electric cars like the e-up! in the next several years, it apparently doesn't want to restrict itself to a single battery supply. VW has already previously announced plans to get lithium ion batteries from both Sanyo and Toshiba as well as collaborating with BYD in China. Now, the German giant wants to form a new joint venture with Varta Microbattery GmbH. VW and Varta will have to get approval from German regulators before the deal can proceed. However, VW seems keen to be able ensure that it has both an adequate supply of batteries as well as access to whoever comes up with the best technology and lowest cost.
Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Volkswagen E-Up!
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark Kiernan 10:33AM (9/29/2009)
I always thought that battery cost and not supply was the problem.
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Mark Kiernan 10:34AM (9/29/2009)
Damn no edit feature.
Just wanted to say that if VW make the e-up a five door hatchback (like the Fox) they will sell like hotcakes!
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David Wright 11:11AM (9/29/2009)
For a company that has tended to indicate there's no rush to go electric, VW do seem to be putting the bricks in place quite enthusiastically..
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Sam 12:37PM (9/29/2009)
Obviously they wern't joking when they said they want to be the worlds number 1 automaker. I think in the second half of 2009 they've already outsold toyota.
Nick From Montreal 12:47PM (9/29/2009)
You're sure right about that. I'm pretty sure that they got more positive feedback about this EV concept than anything else they presented at the Geneva Auto Show.