Collaboration to develop lithium-sulfur EV batteries announced.

A collaboration between Stellantis and Zeta Energy aims to develop a lithium-sulfur electric vehicle battery that is lighter but delivers the same usable energy as contemporary lithium-ion batteries – enabling greater range, enhanced performance and the potential to improve charging speed by up to 50% – reducing range anxiety, the top reason potential buyers in the automotive space are reluctant to go all-electric.

"Our collaboration with Zeta Energy is another step in helping advance our electrification strategy as we work to deliver clean, safe and affordable vehicles," said Ned Curic, Stellantis' chief engineering and technology officer. "Groundbreaking battery technologies like lithium-sulfur can support Stellantis' commitment to carbon neutrality by 2038 while ensuring our customers enjoy optimal range, performance and affordability."

The partnership agreement includes both pre-production development and planning for future battery manufacture. Upon completion of the project, the batteries are expected to power Stellantis electric vehicles by 2030 and cost less than half the price per kWh of current lithium-ion batteries.

As a leading automaker best known for its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, FIAT, Jeep, and more, Stellantis is focused on projects that will further its Dare Forward 2030 strategy of becoming a carbon net zero mobility tech company by 2038. Developing high-performing and affordable electric vehicles is a key aspect of this plan, which includes offering more than 75 battery electric vehicle models.

"We are very excited to be working with Stellantis on this project," said Tom Pilette, CEO of Zeta Energy. "The combination of Zeta Energy's lithium-sulfur battery technology with Stellantis' unrivaled expertise in innovation, global manufacturing and distribution can dramatically improve the performance and cost profile of electric vehicles while increasing the supply chain resiliency for batteries and EVs."

Zeta Energy's lithium-sulfur batteries do not contain cobalt, graphite, manganese or nickel, and their production utilizes waste materials, methane, and unrefined industrial sulfur byproduct to significantly lower CO2 emissions.

The technology is intended to be manufactured within existing gigafactory technology and employ domestic supply chains in Europe or North America. The low cost and prevalence of sulfur cuts production expenses and supply-chain risk.

Founded in 2014 by Charles Maslin in Houston, Texas, Zeta Energy is a privately-held company focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing high-performance, rechargeable batteries that are lower cost and sustainably produced based on its proprietary sulfurized carbon cathodes and its 3D metallic lithium anodes.

The company's technology has won numerous prestigious awards, including those from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) programs and the World Materials Forum.